Tag: Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers odds predictions pick betting line spread

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

The Texas Rangers (6-2) welcome the Houston Astros (2-7) to Globe Life Field Sunday for the 3rd game of a 4-game series. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). 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: Rangers lead 2-0

The Rangers beat the Astros 10-2 Friday then followed that up with another 7-2 beatdown Saturday. Texas has won 3 straight games and is a strong 4-1 at home this season while going 5-3 against the spread (ATS) overall.

The Astros have lost 3 of their last 4 games. They started off the season having been swept in a 4-game series by the New York Yankees and are 2-3 straight up since. Houston is 2-7 ATS on the season and 0-2 straight up/ATS on the road.

Astros at Rangers projected starters

RHP Ronel Blanco vs. RHP Dane Dunning

Blanco (1-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He allowed 2 BB with 7 K in a no-hitter in his debut vs. the Toronto Blue Jays Monday.

• 2023 road splits: 1-0, 5.09 ERA (23 IP, 13 ER — 7 HR), 13 BB, 19 K in 3 starts and 4 relief appearances

Dunning (1-0, 4.26 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He allowed 3 ER on 3 H and 4 BB with 7 K in 6 1/3 IP in his debut at the Tampa Bay Rays Monday.

• 2023 home splits: 7-2, 4.44 ERA (77 IP, 38 ER — 15 HR), 18 BB, 51 K in 10 starts and 5 relief appearances

Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! BHQ offers Draft Prep and full-season subscriptions. Sign up today and start winning!

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 at 1:15 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Astros -108 (bet $108 to win $100) | Rangers -108 (bet $108 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (+146) | Rangers +1.5 (-178)
• Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -120 | U: -102)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

Astros at Rangers picks and predictions

Prediction

Astros 5, Rangers 4

Moneyline

BET ASTROS (-108).

Houston was the best road team in MLB last season, and it has a pitcher coming off 1 of the best performances of his career. The Astros were 56-30 on the road a year ago. With a similar roster, they should be able to bounce back after 2 depleting defeats.

Dunning gave up 3 ER in his lone appearance of the season, and Texas has scored 4 or fewer in 2 of its last 4 games despite detonating on Houston lately. Texas might be 6-2 on the season, but it is just 3-2 following a win.

Expect Houston to bounce back with the pitching advantage, and take ASTROS (-108).

Run line/Against the spread

PASS.

The odds here just aren’t playable. The Rangers have outscored the Astros 17-4 in the 1st 2 games of the series and shouldn’t be underdogs, making them unplayable. The Astros are 2-7 ATS and not worth the risky play either.

Over/Under

LEAN UNDER 9.5 (-102).

The Astros are just 2-6-1 O/U on the season, having scored 13 runs in their last 4 games with 8 of those coming in a victory over the Blue Jays. They have scored more than 4 runs in a game just twice this season.

The Rangers are 4-4 O/U and have allowed more than 3 runs in a game just twice. Texas has topped 5 runs in just 4 of 8 games despite having tallied 17 in its last 2.

Expect a settling back to the norm for Texas, and take UNDER 9.5 (-102).

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

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

Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! BHQ offers Draft Prep and full-season subscriptions. Sign up today and start winning!

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)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

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.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow @payton_shanks on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

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

Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! BHQ offers Draft Prep and full-season subscriptions. Sign up today and start winning!

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)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

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.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow @payton_shanks on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

The Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers play Game 6 of the best-of-7 American League Championship Series Friday. First pitch from Globe Life Field is scheduled for 5:07 p.m. ET (FS1). 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.

ALCS: Tied 2-2

The Astros jumped all over Rangers LHP Andrew Heaney for 3 runs in the 1st inning in Thursday’s Game 4, and RHP Dane Dunning wasn’t much better in relief, either. He allowed 3 ER, 3 H and 3 BB in just 2 2/3 IP, needing 63 pitches to retire 8 batters. When the dust cleared in the top of the 4th, Houston led 7-3, and it never looked back.

The Rangers had won their first 7 playoff games, but suddenly they’re in a 2-game skid, while the Astros have wrestled back home-field advantage, with just 3 games left to be played in the ALCS, including 2 in Houston.

The big blows for the Astros in Game 3 came off the bat of 1B Jose Abreu, who swatted a 3-run homer in the 4th inning, and a 2-run homer for insurance by OF Chas McCormick.

Astros at Rangers projected starters

RHP Justin Verlander vs. LHP Jordan Montgomery

Verlander was 13-8 with a 3.22 ERA in 27 regular-season starts with the Mets and Astros. He had a 1.13 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 in 162 1/3 innings.

• Last start: Loss, 6 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 2-0 home loss vs. Texas Rangers in Game 1 of the ALCS on Sunday
• 2023 road splits: 7-3, 3.20 ERA (76 IP, 27 ER), 6 HR in 13 starts
• Making his 37th career postseason start and 38th overall appearance

Montgomery made 32 starts in the regular season with the Cardinals and Rangers, going 10-11 with a 3.20 ERA. He had a 1.19 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 in 188 2/3 innings.

• Last start: Win, 6 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 2-0 win vs. Houston Astros in Game 1 of ALCS on Sunday
• 2023 home splits (regular season): 7-5, 3.61 ERA (99 2/3 IP, 40 ER), 10 HR in 17 starts
• Making his 5th career postseason start and 6th overall appearance

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

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 at 6:11 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Astros +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Rangers -118 (bet $118 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros +1.5 (-158) | Rangers -1.5 (+192)
• Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -102 | U: -120)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

Astros at Rangers picks and predictions

Prediction

Astros 3, Rangers 2

Moneyline

How quickly these have turned in this series. The ASTROS (+100) have not only gotten back into the series, they seemingly have seized command of the series with consecutive road wins to level things 2-2, making this, essentially, a best-of-3 series for a trip to the 2023 World Series.

Houston cannot seem to win at home, but on the road it is unstoppable. The Astros have picked up wins in all 4 postseason games, while going just 1-3 at home. Montgomery outpitched Verlander in a low-scoring Game 1 of this series. Look for the veteran Verlander to return the favor.

Run line/Against the spread

Backing the Astros +1.5 (-158) will require you to risk more than 1 1/2 times your potential return, which is too much risk and not enough reward for a little bit of insurance.

Just play Houston straight up. After managing just 4 total runs in the 1st 2 games of the series, the Astros have erupted for 18 runs the past 2 days.

PASS.

Over/Under

The UNDER 9 (-120) is the play despite the fact the total has gone high in each of the past 2 games in Arlington.

Verlander and Montgomery get the nod for their respective sides, and they each started Game 1, which was easily the lowest scoring game of this series. With a lot more on the line, look for the Under to cash again, as runs should once again be at a premium.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

The Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers play Game 4 of the best-of-7 American League Championship Series Thursday. First pitch from Globe Life Field is scheduled for 8:03 p.m. ET (FS1). 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.

ALCS: Rangers lead 2-1

The Astros were in an 0-2 series hole, staring at the possibility of being pushed to the brink. But the defending World Series champs stepped up and showed the heart of a champion, picking up an 8-5 win in Game 3 on Tuesday. Not only did Houston avoid an 0-3 series hole, but it dealt Texas its first loss of the postseason.

In fact, Houston had managed just 4 total runs scored and 11 total hits in the first 2 games of the series. It posted 8 runs and 12 hits in Game 3 to get right back into this series.

The loss in Game 3 was the first for the Rangers since losing the regular-season finale Oct. 1 in Seattle, and subsequently losing the AL West division title to the Astros.

Astros at Rangers projected starters

RHP Jose Urquidy vs. LHP Andrew Heaney

Urquidy made 11 starts and 6 relief appearances in the regular season, going 3-3 with a 5.29 ERA. He had a 1.43 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9 and 6.4 K/9 over 63 innings.

• Last start: Win, 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H (2 solo HR), 1 BB, 6 K in 3-2 win at Minnesota Twins in Game 4 of ALDS on Oct. 11
• 2023 road splits: 2-1, 4.28 ERA (27 1/3 IP, 13 ER), 1 HR in 5 starts and 1 relief appearance
• Making his 8th career postseason start and 14th overall appearance

Heaney was 10-6 with a 4.15 ERA across 28 regular-season starts and 6 relief appearances. He had a 1.38 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 9.2 K/9 in 147 1/3 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 3 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K in 3-2 win at Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of ALDS on Oct. 7
• 2023 home splits (regular season): 7-3, 4.06 ERA (84 1/3 IP, 38 ER), 10 HR in 16 starts and 3 relief appearances
• Making his 2nd career postseason start and 3rd overall appearance

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

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 at 2:50 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Astros +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Rangers -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (+164) | Rangers +1.5 (-200)
• Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -114 | U: -106)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

Astros at Rangers picks and predictions

Prediction

Rangers 5, Astros 4

Moneyline

The RANGERS (-120) had a little hiccup in Game 3, but they’re still very much in firm control of this series.

Urquidy was sharp for the Astros (+102) last time out, posting a win against the Twins in the ALDS. However, he has posted a 4.28 ERA on the road this season.

Despite the loss, Texas is still an impressive 7-1 in the postseason, but be careful.

Run line/Against the spread

The Rangers +1.5 (-200) will cost you 2 times your potential return, if you want a little bit of insurance, and you just can’t bring yourself to playing Texas straight up.

The Astros -1.5 (+164) showed some of that championship mettle in Game 3, and it’s tempting to roll the dice on another win of 2 or more runs. But I think the Rangers get back on track at home.

PASS.

Over/Under

The UNDER 9.5 (-106) has cashed in just 1 of the first 3 games of this series, but it’s still worth playing lightly here.

The Over is also 2-1 in the past 3 road playoff games for the Astros, including an Over result in Game 1. Still, Heaney saw the Under cash in his only previous postseason game on Oct. 7, and Urquidy also saw the total go low in Game 4 in Minnesota in his only previous start in these playoffs.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

The Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers play Game 3 of the best-of-7 American League Championship Series Wednesday. First pitch from Globe Life Field is scheduled for 8:03 p.m. ET (FS1). 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.

ALCS: Rangers lead 2-0

The Astros are in an ugly spot after losing  2 games at home. Houston now needs to win 4 of the next 5 games to make it back to the World Series.

In the postseason, the Astros are just 3-3, including 1-3 in 4 games as a favorite. The Over is 4-2 in 6 playoff games.

The Rangers are perfect (7-for-7 in the postseason. Oddly enough, Texas has played just once at home in these playoffs, a 7-1 win in Game 3 of the ALDS to eliminate the Baltimore Orioles as a favorite (-134) as the Over (7.5) came in.

Texas is favored Wednesday, and it is just the 2nd time in the postseason it has been favored. The Under holds a slight 4-3 edge versus the Over for the Rangers in 7 postseason games.

Astros at Rangers projected starters

RHP Cristian Javier vs. RHP Max Scherzer

Javier made 31 starts in the regular season, going 10-5 with a 4.56 ERA. He had a 1.27 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 8.8 K/9 over 162 innings.

• Last start: Win, 5 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 5 BB, 9 K in 9-1 road win vs. the Minnesota Twins in Game 3 of the ALDS last Tuesday
• 2023 road splits: 5-3, 5.17 ERA (94 IP, 54 ER), 18 HR in 18 starts
• Making his 4th career postseason start and 16th overall appearance

Scherzer was 13-6 with a 3.77 ERA across 27 regular-season starts with the Mets and Rangers. He had a 1.12 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 10.3 K/9 in 152 2/3 innings.

• Last start: Win, 5 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K in 6-3 road win vs. the Toronto Blue Jays Sept. 12
• 2023 home splits: 8-4, 4.31 ERA (85 2/3 IP, 41 ER), 21 HR in 15 starts in the regular season
• Making his 23rd career postseason start and 28th overall appearance

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

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 at 6:36 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Astros +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Rangers -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros +1.5 (-182) | Rangers -1.5 (+150)
• Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: +100 | U: -122)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

Astros at Rangers picks and predictions

Prediction

Rangers 5, Astros 3

Moneyline

The RANGERS (-130) welcome back Scherzer for his 1st start in 5 weeks. He was left off the roster for the ALDS, as he was still recovering from a teres major strain, which is the muscle connecting the arm to the shoulder blade. After throwing on the side, and having successful bullpen sessions, the team welcomes him back.

The Astros (+110) have been a hot mess in this series, and going to a raucous Arlington to face Scherzer and the red-hot Rangers is a tall order. And Javier has a dismal 5.17 ERA on the road this season, which doesn’t exactly make him a sure-fire stopper to help turn things around.

Run line/Against the spread

The RANGERS -1.5 (+150) are worth a roll of the dice on the run line. It’s a bit of unchartered territory, as Texas has been favored just once in the postseason. It easily covered the run line in that outing, and it is 7-0 on the run line in these playoffs, winning 6 times outright as an underdog, too.

The Astros +1.5 (-182) are 2-0 in 2 games as an underdog, both against the run line as outright winners. Still, Javier has struggled on the road, and the Rangers are a buzzsaw right now.

Over/Under

The UNDER 9.5 (-122) is worth a look, and might be the best play on the board.

The Under has cashed in 2 of the past 3 games for the Astros, while also going 2-1 in the past 3 games for the Rangers.

The wild-card here is Scherzer. If he pitches to his capabilities, he’ll hold the Astros down. But there could be some rust, too. Javier has also struggled on the road, so this is a little bit of a contrarian play. But 9.5 is also a big number, too, especially in the playoffs.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]