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The Houston Astros (79-61) look to complete a 3-game road sweep over the Texas Rangers (76-62) on Wednesday. First pitch from Globe Life Field is at 8:05 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: Astros lead 8-4
The Astros hold a 1-game lead in the AL West over the Seattle Mariners and 2-game lead over the Rangers. They won the 1st 2 games of the series 13-6 and 14-1. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games.
The Rangers, who led the division for most of the season, are in a tailspin. They have lost 2 straight games and are 4-14 in their last 18 games. They are a half-game out of the final Wild Card spot.
Astros at Rangers projected starters
RHP Justin Verlander vs. RHP Max Scherzer
Verlander (10-4, 3.34 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.18 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 in 129 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 6 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 3 K in 6-2 home loss to New York Yankees on Friday
- Is 4-2 with 3.86 ERA in 6 starts since getting traded to the Astros
Scherzer (12-5, 3.55 ERA) makes his 26th start. He has a 1.10 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 10.5 K/9 in 144 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 7 K in 5-1 home loss to Minnesota Twins on Friday
- Is 3-1 with 2.21 ERA in 6 starts since getting traded to the Rangers
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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 9:55 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Astros +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Rangers -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros +1.5 (-175) | Rangers -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +105)
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Astros at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 5, Astros 3
Moneyline
The Astros have won 7 in a row on the road. They are 44-27 on the road this season. The Rangers are 43-28 at home, the 2d-most home wins in the AL.
Scherzer has been very good since going to the Rangers, so I give the edge to Texas. However, there is reason to go for a bigger payout on the spread, so PASS on the moneyline.
Run line/Against the spread
The Rangers’ last 3 wins have been by only 1 run. They have not covered the spread in their last 9 games and are 1-17 ATS in their last 18 games.
The Astros are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games, but have not lost a game and covered the spread since July 28.
Thirteen of the 16 wins by Scherzer’s teams this season when he starts have been by 2 or more runs. All 4 wins the Rangers have had with Scherzer on the mound have been by 2 or more runs.
BET RANGERS -1.5 (+145).
Over/Under
Both games this series have had big totals (19 and 15 runs, respectively). Only 1 of Scherzer’s 6 starts with the Rangers has had more than 8 total runs while 4 of Verlander’s 6 starts with the Astros have had more than 8 total runs. Also, 3 of the Astros’ last 4 losses have not reached 9 total runs.
BET UNDER 8.5 (-105).
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