The Texas Rangers (49-61) and the Houston Astros (71-41) meet in the finale of a 3-game set Thursday. First pitch from Minute Maid Park is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rangers vs. Astros odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Astros lead 9-4
The Rangers pulled off a stunning 8-4 extra-innings win in the middle game Wednesday. Texas cashed as a +280 underdog, while Houston star RHP Justin Verlander was unable to cruise to the easy win.
The Astros allowed 5 runs in the top of the 10th inning and managed to get just 1 back in the bottom. Under bettors couldn’t believe their luck after the teams combined for just 6 runs in the first 9 innings.
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Rangers at Astros projected starters
LHP Cole Ragans vs. LHP Framber Valdez
Ragans made 18 combined starts between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock going 8-5 with a 3.04 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. He makes his 2nd MLB start here.
- The southpaw allowed just 1 unearned run on 3 H and 4 BB with 3 K through 5 IP in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox in his major league debut Aug. 4.
Valdez (10-4, 2.87 ERA) makes his 22nd start. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 through 135 IP.
- Has a 3-2 record with a 4.01 ERA with a .268 opponent batting average with 54 K across 49 1/3 IP in 8 home starts.
- Is 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA with 12 K across 13 IP over 2 starts against the Rangers this season.
Rangers at Astros odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:02 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Rangers +250 (bet $100 to win $250) | Astros -320 (bet $320 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +2.5 (-130) | Astros -2.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: +100 | U: -125)
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Rangers at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 6, Rangers 3
Money line
The Astros (-320) were a cautionary tale Wednesday. NEVER bet huge favorites on the money line as they can come back to bite you. They can ruin a winning streak and dry up your bankroll in a hurry.
AVOID.
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Run line/Against the spread
The RANGERS +2.5 (-130) managed to pick up the outright win in a stunner Wednesday. Texas won’t win this one in a battle of southpaws, but it should be able to keep it within 2 runs in the series finale as it has through the first 2 games of the series.
Over/Under
The OVER 8.5 (+100) is the LEAN at even money. Valdez has actually been more giving at home than on the road, and the Over has connected in each of his past 3 outings, while going 6-3 in his previous 9 starts.
The Over has cashed in each of the first 2 games in this series, with 12 combined runs in each of the contests. The Over has hit in 3 in a row for Texas, too.
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