The Texas Rangers (13-21) play the Houston Astros (19-15) in the second game of a three-game series Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Rangers-Astros MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Series: Texas leads 1-0.
Rangers at Astros: Projected starting pitchers
LHP Kolby Allard vs. RHP Cristian Javier
Allard: 0-3 with a 6.50 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 9.5 K/9 and 5.0 BB/9 in 18 IP over 5 starts.
- Last start: Loss with 5 1/3 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 5 K and 4 BB against the Oakland Athletics (Aug. 26).
- Allard has made only 15 starts in his 3-year career. He has started against the Astros once—a loss with 5 IP, 2 ER, 2 K and 4 BB in 2019.
Javier: 3-1 with a 3.77 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 9 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 31 IP over 7 games (6 starts).
- Last start: Win with 5 2/3 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 5 K and 2 BB against the Los Angeles Angels.
- Javier made his MLB debut this season and has never faced the Rangers.
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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 1:25 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Astros 10, Rangers 2
Moneyline (ML)
The Rangers (+180) beat Houston last night in extra innings, 6-5, after dropping back-to-back games to the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was Texas’ first win in its previous eight games against its AL West rival.
Tuesday’s loss to Texas continues the Astros’ (-200) recent bout with inconsistency as they’re 5-5 over their last 10 games. Also, the Astros have owned the Rangers over the past two seasons (25-13 record versus Texas in 2018-19).
Laying more than -150 in bets on regular-season games is pretty much a no-go for me. PASS ON THE MONEYLINE.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The Astros -1.5 (+100/EVEN) have been downright dominant at home this season (14-6 record and a 10-10 run line record). The Rangers +1.5 (-121) have been downright terrible on the road this season (4-11 straight up record and versus the run line).
Also, Javier’s home/road splits are dramatically different. He is 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA and .70 WHIP in Houston compared to 1-1 with a 6.39 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in away games. BET HOUSTON -1.5 (+100) ON THE RUN LINE.
New to sports betting? A $100 bet on the Astros -1.5 (+100) returns a $100 profit if Houston beats Texas by two or more runs.
Over/Under (O/U)
Houston and Texas are tied with the 6th-highest percentage of Overs in MLB (19-14-1 Over/Under record). Javier has looked good but is young, Allard has looked shaky and is young. My handicap is that the Astros smack around Allard and the Rangers’ bullpen. TAKE OVER 8.5 (-121).
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