The Texas Rangers (17-30) begin a three-game set Tuesday against the Houston Astros (23-24) in Minute Maid Park at 8:10 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Rangers-Astros MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Rangers at Astros: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Kyle Cody vs. RHP Jose Urquidy
Cody: 0-1 with a 0.93 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 and 7.4 BB/9 in 9 ⅔ IP over 5 G (2 GS).
- Last start: No-decision with 2 ⅓ IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 5 K and 5 BB in a 7-3 win against the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 9.
- 2020 is the 26-year-old’s rookie season.
Urquidy: 0-1 with a 3.72 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 2.8 K/9 and 5.6 BB/9 in 9 ⅔ IP over 2 GS.
- Last start: Loss, 3-1, with 6 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 K and 2 BB at the Oakland Athletics on Sept. 10.
- Urquidy has started one game against the Rangers in his career – 6-1 win with 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 9 K and 0 BB in 2019.
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Rangers at Astros: Key injuries
(Get the latest injury news here.)
Rangers
- SS Elvis Andrus (back) out
- OF Willie Calhoun (hamstring) out
- OF Joey Gallo (hamstring) questionable
- OF Shin-Soo Choo (hand) out
Astros
- 2B Jose Altuve (knee) out
- OF Yordan Alvarez (knee) out
- SS Aledmys Diaz (quadriceps) questionable
- 1B Yuli Gurriel (hand) 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 7:50 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Astros 8, Rangers 4
Money line (ML)
The Astros (-209) are finally back home following an 11-game road trip that they went 2-9 in. Houston has been terrible on the road this season (7-18), but Texas has the worst road record in MLB (4-17).
The Rangers (+185) split their last series against the Oakland Athletics and are 4-3 in their last seven games. However, all those games were at home. Texas is 1-11 in the last 12 meetings in Houston and I like the Astros to win this game but their money line is too expensive. PASS ON THE MONEY LINE.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The Rangers +1.5 (-121) have the worst road run line record in MLB (6-15 RL) and while their starter, Cody, looked good in his only appearance against the Astros -1.5 (100), their lineup will start hitting on its second go-around with Cody.
Admittedly, I am chasing the value but, BET ASTROS -1.5 (100).
New to sports betting? A $50 bet on the Astros -1.5 (100) pays a $50 profit if Houston beats Texas by two or more runs.
Over/Under (O/U)
This total is in single digits because the Under is 6-2 in the last eight Rangers-Astros games. But those games featured pitching notables Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke and Gerrit Cole.
There’s a solid chance either pitcher implodes even though Urquidy pitched well in his only start against the Rangers. Houston has a 20-10-1 Over/Under record as a favorite and Texas is 21-11-3 O/U as an underdog.
TAKE OVER 9 (-110). New to sports betting? A $27.50 bet on Over 9 (-110) returns a $25 profit if Rangers-Astros combine for 10 or more runs.
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