The Texas Rangers (13-22) close out their three-game series against the Houston Astros (20-15) Thursday at 2:10 p.m. ET at Minute Maid Park. Below, we analyze the Rangers-Astros MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Rangers at Astros: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Lance Lynn vs. RHP Zack Greinke
Lynn has been tremendous for the Rangers. The veteran right-hander owns a 1.93 ERA through eight starts. He has allowed just 4 earned runs over 22 1/3 IP on the road.
- The 33-year-old with a 3.53 career ERA has benefited from some generous rates around the margins, namely his overall batting average on balls in play (.198), lead-off BABIP (.167), runners-in-scoring-position BABIP (.074), and high-leverage BABIP (.182).
- Has a terrific history against current Houston bats: .661 OPS allowed, 32.7% strikeout rate.
Greinke owns a 2.68 ERA buoyed by the strength of a fine 0.94 WHIP. He’s posted a minuscule 2.01 ERA over his last 5 starts.
- Is 2-0 with a 2.78 ERA through four starts in his home park this year.
- Gave up three earned runs over five innings against the Oakland Athletics last time out but earned his second win of the year.
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Rangers at Astros: Key injuries
(Get the latest injury news here.)
Rangers
- 2B Rougned Odor (eye) out
- OF Willie Calhoun (hamstring) out
- OF Danny Santana (elbow) out
- RP Jose Leclerc (shoulder) out
Astros
- 3B Alex Bregman (hamstring) out
- OF Yordan Alvarez (knee) out
- RP Roberto Osuna (elbow) out
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
Rangers at Astros: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:40 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML)
Steering clear of this one. The market has this line surrounded. PASS on the Astros (-167)/Rangers +150 moneylines.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The suggestion here flies in the face of common low-total home nine avoidance, but the price on Houston is appealing. Peg Lynn as being the more overvalued of the two hurlers going in. Both bullpens are substandard and based on their last starts and what’s in the tank, Greinke can be counted on to go deeper.
The Texas offense owns a sub-.600 OPS over the last two weeks. For Houston, six of the team’s last seven victories have been by multiple runs. Figure the odds of a two-plus win for Houston Thursday are better than 45% and take the ASTROS -1.5 (+125).
New to sports betting? A winning $100 bet on the Astros returns a $125 profit if Houston beats Texas by 2 or more runs.
Over/Under (O/U)
TAKE THE OVER 7.5 (-110) on a figure a bit too tight for the starter-pen combinations.
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