From Globe Life Field in Arlington, we have the Astros and Rangers facing off in an AL West matchup. This game is getting started at 2:35 PM ET, and MLBN is carrying it on TV.
The Astros are the money line favorites, with their odds sitting at -120 compared to the Rangers at +100. The over/under line is currently at 9 runs, and Yusei Kikuchi will start for the Astros, while the Rangers are starting Jose Urena. Houston is 2nd in the AL West, while the Rangers are 3rd with a record of 54-60.
Astros Look to Gain Ground in AL West as Kikuchi Takes the Mound
Yusei Kikuchi gets the start for the Astros today, and he is 4-9 with a 4.67 ERA this season. The Astros are 58-55 overall, and they are 2nd in the AL West, just a half-game behind the Mariners. Houston is 20-18 in divisional matchups and 44-39 as the favorite. So far, they are 1-1 in this series vs. the Rangers.
The Astros offense is 13th in scoring at 4.5 runs per game, and they are 3rd in batting average. They have struggled with walks, ranking 24th. Houston is 32-26 at home and 26-29 on the road. As the favorite, they are 37-46 against the run line. The over/under record for Astros games is 44-65, and the O/U line for their games is 9 runs on average. Houston has gone under in five straight games.
Rangers Look to Break Losing Streak Against Astros; Urena Aims for Redemption
The Rangers are 54-60 overall and trail the Mariners by five games in the AL West. They are 14-17 in AL West games and will host the Astros today. Texas is 31-26 at home and 23-34 on the road. As the underdog, the Rangers have dropped five straight and are 18-32 overall. When favored, they are 36-28.
Jose Urena will be looking to bounce back after giving up seven earned runs in four innings in his last start. Overall, he is 3-6 with a 3.70 ERA. The Rangers are 26-24 on the run line as the underdog this season. Texas is averaging 4.2 runs per game, and their over/under record is 50-60. The over/under line for today’s game is set at 9 runs. Texas is 8-11-1 when the line is set at 9 runs.
Betting on the Rangers: Predicted 6-5 Victory Over Astros
Our prediction for this Astros vs. Rangers matchup is to take the Rangers on the money line at +100. With the money line payout, we also like the Rangers to come out on top with a predicted score of 6-5.
Looking at the starting pitchers, we have Jose Urena finishing with four strikeouts, which would have him as the fourth-lowest among all starters. As for Yusei Kikuchi, he is projected to finish with five strikeouts, which has him as the 19th best among starters.
