The Texas Rangers (8-5) play the 2nd contest in a 3-game series against the Houston Astros (6-8) Saturday. First pitch at Minute Maid Park is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rangers lead 1-0. Astros won the season series 14-5 in 2022.
The Rangers registered a 6-2 victory in the series opener Friday, cashing as a +144 underdog. Texas has won 2 straight on the road, and 4 of the past 5 games overall.
The Astros looked to be piecing things together after a slow start, going 3-1 in the previous 4 games before Friday’s loss. The defending champs are just 3-5 in 8 home games this season.
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Rangers at Astros projected starters
RHP Jon Gray vs. RHP Hunter Brown
Gray (1-1, 3.00 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.25 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 8.3 K/9 through 12 IP.
- Has allowed 3 HR, but 2 have been of the solo variety, and the other a 2-run shot
- Hasn’t allowed a HR to anyone on the Astros’ current roster in 40 at-bats
Brown (1-0, 3.09 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.11 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 through 11 2/3 IP.
- Has yet to allow a home run this season
- Allowed just 1 unearned run on 2 H and 2 BB with 7 K across 7 IP in a win at the Minnesota Twins Sunday
- Made his MLB debut against the Rangers on Sept. 25, 2022, allowing just 3 H and 1 BB with 5 K across 6 scoreless IP in a win
Rangers at Astros odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:14 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Astros -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-140) | Astros -1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Rangers at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 4, Rangers 3
Moneyline
The ASTROS (-175) haven’t been firing on all cylinders so far this season, but they’re a good play at home against the Rangers.
Houston has won 40 of the previous 57 meetings in this series and is 39-17 in the past 56 at home. Until the Rangers start ticking off wins on the regular, you still have the back the Astros in the Silver Boot Series.
Run line/Against the spread
The RANGERS +1.5 (-140) aren’t a bad play on the run line. Texas picked up the surprising win in Friday’s series opener. Gray has been pitching well, and we should get a close and well-pitched game with Brown on the other side doing well out of the chute this season.
Texas has cashed on the run line in the past 2 times as an underdog, and it is 3-2 overall as a ‘dog on the run line this season.
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Over/Under
UNDER 8 (-110) is the lean, but go lightly.
The Over was on a 5-0 run for the Rangers until Friday’s Under result, which cashed by just a half-run.
The Under has cashed in 2 in a row for the Astros for the first time this season, but the Over is still 9-4 in the past 13 games overall for Houston.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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