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The Texas Rangers (44-49) and Houston Astros (49-44) open a 3-game set Friday. First pitch from Minute Maid Park is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Astros lead 4-3
The Rangers snapped a 5-game winning streak with a 7-2 loss at the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday as -127 favorites. CF Leody Taveras hit a 2-run HR in the 5th, and RHP Michael Lorenzen allowed 5 ER in 5 innings to pick up the loss.
Houston took down the Miami Marlins 6-3 as a -177 home favorite Thursday, completing a 3-game sweep. CF Jake Meyers doubled in a run in the 4th inning for the Astros, who have won 9 straight home games.
Rangers at Astros projected starters
LHP Andrew Heaney vs. RHP Hunter Brown
Heaney (3-9, 3.80 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 9.2 K/9 in 90 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 1/3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 7 K in 4-3 home win against Tampa Bay Rays Saturday
- Career vs. Astros (regular season): 4-5, 3.89 ERA (88 IP, 38 ER), 1.32 WHIP, 8.5 K/9 in 17 starts, including 0-1 with 9.82 ERA (7 1/3 IP, 8 ER) in 2 starts this year
Brown (6-6, 4.48 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.39 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 9.8 K/9 in 92 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 7 ER, 12 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 9-3 defeat at Minnesota Twins Saturday
- Career vs. Rangers (regular season): 2-2, 3.60 ERA (20 IP, 8 ER), 1.60 WHIP, 8.6 K/9 in 4 starts, including 0-1 with 15.00 ERA (3 IP, 5 ER) in 1 start this season
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Rangers at Astros odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:08 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Astros -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-165) | Astros -1.5 (+140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Rangers at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 5, Rangers 4
Moneyline
BET ASTROS (-145).
Houston is 27-19 at home this season and 7-3 in its last 10 games overall. It is also 3-0 in its last 3 games overall and 9-0 in its last 9 at home. It faces a Rangers team that is 20-28 on the road and is starting Heaney, who is just 3-9 on the mound this season. While both teams have been hot recently, Houston holds the advantage Friday night.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
There is minimal value on the run line in this matchup.
Over/Under
BET OVER 8 (-115).
The Rangers have a 5-3-2 Over record in their last 10 games, including 3-0-1 in their last 4. The Astros have a 6-4 Over record in that span, including 2-0 in their last 2 games. The Over is also 5-2 in 7 meetings this season. With a lower total, the Over is the best bet. Just 2 of the last 18 meetings have ended with fewer than 8 total runs.
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