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The Houston Astros (2-5) visit the Texas Rangers (4-2) Friday for the 1st game of a 4-game series. First pitch from Globe Life Field is set for 8:05 p.m. ET (Apple TV+). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Astros vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting of 2024; Houston won 9-4 last regular season, but Texas took the ALCS 4-3
Houston routed the Toronto Blue Jays 8-0 Wednesday, covering as a -153 home favorite. DH Yordan Alvarez homered twice and finished 4-for-5 with 3 RBIs in the win. The Astros took 2 of 3 vs. the Blue Jays after getting swept in 4 by the visiting New York Yankees to start the season.
Texas picked up a 4-1 win at the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, covering as a +111 underdog. RHP Nathan Eovaldi pitched 7 shutout innings of 4-hit ball and struck out 8 against 1 walk to earn his 1st win of the season. The Rangers took 2 of 3 in the series, dropping the middle game.
Astros at Rangers projected starters
RHP Hunter Brown vs. LHP Cody Bradford
Brown (0-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his 2nd start of 2024. He has a 1.50 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 11.3 K/9 across 4 innings.
- Brown opened his 2024 season with a no-decision vs. the Yankees Saturday, allowing 0 ER on 4 H and 2 BB with 5 K — the Astros lost 5-3
- 2023 road splits: 7-4, 3.80 ERA (83 IP, 35 ER), 77 H, 21 BB, 93 K across 14 starts and 2 relief appearances
- Career vs. Texas: 2-1, 1.59 ERA (17 IP, 3 ER), 18 H, 2 BB, 16 K in 3 starts, including 1-1 last season with a 2.45 ERA (11 IP, 3 ER)
Bradford (1-0, 3.60 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He has a 0.80 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 10.8 K/9 through 5 innings.
- Last start: Win, 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB and 6 K in 11-2 home win vs. Cubs Saturday
- 2023 home splits: 2-1, 4.73 ERA (26 2/3 IP, 14 ER), 20 H, 6 BB, 26 K through 3 starts and 9 relief appearances
- Career vs. Houston: 0-0, 2.00 ERA (9 IP, 2 ER), 8 H, 0 BB, 7 K in 3 relief appearances — all last year
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Astros at Rangers odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Astros -138 (bet $138 to win $100) | Rangers +118 (bet $100 to win $118)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (+114) | Rangers +1.5 (-137)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Astros at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 5, Rangers 4
Moneyline
PASS.
But if you must, the lean is with the Astros (-138).
As mentioned, Houston started the season 0-4 before taking 2 of 3 from Toronto, which included RHP Ronel Blanco’s no-hitter. The Astros hold a narrow 6-4 advantage in their last 10 matchups vs. the Rangers.
Brown has also been decent on the road and not too shabby vs. Texas in his career. Look for both trends to continue.
Run line/Against the spread
BET RANGERS +1.5 (-137).
Recent matchups between these squads have been very even, with the Rangers winning back-to-back home games vs. Houston.
The Astros are also only 2-5 on the run line this season.
This is a safe bet because of the Rangers have been the better team to start the season. I expect Texas to cover and I would not be surprised if the Rangers win the game.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 9.5 (-110).
The Under has hit in back-to-back games for the Astros and is 5-1-1 for the Astros this season. For Texas, the Under has hit in back-to-back outings.
Both teams are starting good pitchers, so both offenses should have some trouble scoring runs, making this bet even safer.
This is only a lean because the Over has been a dominant 8-1-1 in the last 10 Houston-Texas matchups.
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