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The Houston Astros (2-6) and Texas Rangers (5-2) meet Saturday for the 2nd game of a 4-game series. First pitch from Globe Life Field is set for 7:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Astros vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Texas leads 1-0
Texas picked up the 10-2 win Friday, cashing as a +125 underdog. LHP Cody Bradford pitched 7 2/3 innings with 4 K while allowing only 2 H and 1 ER in the win.
Houston was down 10-0 heading into the 8th when the Astros scored their only 2 runs thanks to a 2-run HR from CF Jake Meyers. The Astros had 2 pitchers go 3 innings each, both allowing 5 ER and 7 or more hits.
Astros at Rangers projected starters
RHP J.P. France vs. RHP Jon Gray
France (0-0, 4.76 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He allowed 3 ER on 6 H and 1 BB with 5 K in 5 2/3 IP in his debut vs. the New York Yankees Sunday.
- 2023 road splits: 6-2, 3.11 ERA (66 2/3 IP, 23 ER), 64 H, 47 K across 11 starts and 1 relief appearance
- 2023 vs. Texas: 1-0, 3.75 ERA (12 IP, 5 ER), 11 H, 8 K in 2 starts
Gray (0-0, 12.27 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He allowed 5 ER on 7 H and 3 BB with 2 K in 3 2/3 IP in his debut vs. the Chicago Cubs Sunday.
- 2023 home splits: 3-4, 4.78 ERA (79 IP, 42 ER), 44 H, 31 BB, 70 K in 15 starts
- Career vs. Houston: 1-3, 4.86 ERA (37 IP, 20 ER), 31 H, 16 BB, 37 K through 7 starts
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Astros at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Astros -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Rangers -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros +1.5 (-200) | Rangers -1.5 (+165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Astros at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 7, Rangers 3
Moneyline
LEAN ASTROS (-110).
With how close recent series between these squads have been, I would be shocked if the Rangers can pick up their 4th straight win vs. Houston. Each team has picked up 5 wins in the last 10 battles between these squads.
This is a very risky bet, as the Rangers have won 3 straight vs. the Astros and have been the much better team to start this season.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
I am very confident in the Astros to cover here as +1.5 (-200) underdogs, but their odds are simply better on the moneyline, and I am not a fan of doubling down. They are also not worth the risk of betting on with the line being as high as -200. Bet on the moneyline and/or total instead.
Over/Under
BET OVER 9.5 (-120).
The Over has hit in 4 of Texas’ last 6 games overall and in 3 straight at home.
For Houston, the Over has hit in 2 of its last 4 outings.
The Over has also hit in each of the last 3 Houston-Texas matchups and is 8-1-1 in the last 10 meetings.
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