Texas Rangers at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s Texas Rangers at Houston Astros odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

The Texas Rangers (58-75) are set to open a 3-game set with the Houston Astros (86-48) Monday. First pitch from Minute Maid Park is at 7:10 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 12-4

The Rangers fell 5-2 to the Boston Red Sox Sunday as RHP Dane Dunning struggled to the tune of 5 ER on 8 H and 3 BB over 4 IP. Texas has now lost 8 consecutive games, which includes being swept in a 2-game series with the Astros.

The Astros came away with a lopsided 9-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels Sunday. Houston has won 5 of its last 6 games to give it a 10-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West.

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Rangers at Astros projected starters

LHP Martin Perez vs. RHP Hunter Brown

Perez (10-5, 2.89 ERA) makes his 27th start. He has a 1.23 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 through 159 IP.

  • Last 5 starts: 1-3, 4.82 ERA, 28 IP, 28 H, 15 ER, 16 BB and 28 K
  • Aug. 31 vs. Astros: 5 IP, 5 ER, 9 H, 4 BB and 5 K

Brown is lined up to make his major league debut.

  • Owns a 9-4 record in 14 starts at the Triple-A level in 2022
  • Has recorded a 2.55 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 11.4 K/9 through 106 IP across 14 starts and 9 relief appearances for AAA-Sugar Land

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 9:25 a.m. ET.

  • Money line (ML): Rangers +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Astros -170 (bet $170 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-155) | Astros -1.5 (+125)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -125 | U: +100)

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Rangers at Astros picks and predictions

Prediction

Astros 6, Rangers 4

Money line

I would PASS on taking the Astros (-170) money line with them having a pitcher making his debut Monday.

Even though I have Houston securing the win, I wouldn’t take the money line unless I was including it in a parlay or if you can get the odds at -160 or better.

Run line/Against the spread

ASTROS -1.5 (+125) has decent value with Houston being the home team in this contest.  The Astros have won by 2 or more runs in 8 of their 12 meetings with the Rangers this season.

Over/Under

Given the talent of the Astros’ bats, and the fact that Houston has a pitcher making his debut that had 3.8 BB/9 in Triple-A, OVER 7.5 RUNS (-125) seems like the logical choice in Monday’s matchup.

The Over is 7-0 in Perez’s last 7 starts against a team in the AL West. Plus, the Over is 5-1 in Houston’s last 6 home games against a team with a losing record.

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