The Texas Rangers (17-19) and Houston Astros (24-14) tangle at Minute Maid Park Thursday in the opener of a 4-game series. First pitch is slated for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rangers vs. Astros odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Houston leads 3-1. The Astros have taken 5-of-6 from the Rangers since Sept. 15 last season.
The Rangers are coming off a 3-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels and have won 4 straight overall.
The Astros are returning home from a 9-game road trip that saw them go 6-3. Houston pitching has piled up 6 shutouts in May, and overall the Astros have a 3.01 ERA, good for 3rd in MLB.
Rangers at Astros projected starters
RHP Glenn Otto, Jr. vs. LHP Framber Valdez
Otto (1-1, 6.38 ERA) is making his 5th start of the season. He has a 1.42 WHIP, 4.9 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 through 18 1/3 IP.
- Coming off a disastrous start against the Boston Red Sox Saturday where he allowed 8 runs allowed on 8 hits (2 home runs) and 4 BB in 4 IP.
Valdez (2-2, 2.93 ERA) is lined up for his 8th start. He has a 1.28 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 through 40 IP.
- Owns a 2.08 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over his last 4 starts.
Rangers at Astros odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 10:23 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rangers +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Astros -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
- Run line (RL): Rangers +1.5 (-120) | Astros -1.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
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Rangers at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 5, Rangers 4
Money line
Houston could have some 3-city road-trip fatigue, and the Astros bullpen is likely too far over its skis with a 2.73 surface ERA.
Otto was okay in pre-Boston starts against these Astros and the New York Yankees, and the Rangers would be worth a look at +180-or-better. Otherwise, PASS.
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Run line/Against the spread
Texas has played a tough slate in terms of opponents combined record, opposing pitching faced, and opposing batting faced.
A workable side on a Ranger nine that has been hamstrung by a 2-5 mark in 1-run games is the TEXAS +1.5 (-120) run line play.
Over/Under
May has been an offense-battling-back month in Major League Baseball. Texas has some quality of contact numbers that indicate some growth potential in its season average of 4.28 runs per game. Against a Houston club with some artificially tamped-down ERA figures, BACK THE OVER 7.5 (-130).
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