Rangers vs. Astros 9/3 Prediction
The Rangers and Astros will wrap up their series today at 2:10 p.m. ET in Houston and given the starting pitching matchup, has the total been set too high by oddsmakers?
Game Snap Shot
Who: Rangers (13-22, 4-12 Away) vs. Astros (20-15, 15-6 Home)
What: MLB Regular Season Matchup
When: 2:10 p.m. ET
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX
Betting Odds: Rangers +140 (Lance Lynn) vs. Astros -160 (Zack Greinke); O/U 7.5 (Also check out our MLB Public Betting Chart Page)
Texas Rangers DFS Spin
Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a solo homer on Wednesday in the Rangers’ loss to the Astros. Kiner-Falefa provided the only offense of the night for the Rangers, and it was one of only three hits the Rangers picked up in the contest. It’s just the second homer of the season for the third baseman, but Kiner-Falefa has helped in the average category with a .284 mark in 33 games and 116 at-bats. It’s especially helped because of that catcher eligibility he still has in most formats.
Houston Astros DFS Spin
Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer on Wednesday to help the Astros defeat the Rangers. Brantley’s homer was the only offense the Astros received on Wednesday, and it was all they needed with Cristian Javier allowing just a run in his 6 2/3 frames. It’s the third homer of the season for the outfielder, and he’s now gone deep in back-to-back contests. After missing time with injuries, the 33-year-old is now slashing .300/.378/.525 in 80 at-bats. As long as Brantley is healthy, he’s going to be a quality fantasy option.
Rangers vs. Astros Prediction
Lynn has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season and will bring a 4-1 record with a 1.93 ERA over 51.1 innings of work (eight starts) into tonight’s game. He’ll face a Houston lineup that is more than capable of busting out on any given night, but one that will also go long stretches of inactivity (such as last night when they only scored two runs). Lynn has massive strikeout ability and should limit the damage while pitching deep into today’s game.
Meanwhile, Greinke has been nearly as impressive over his 40.1 innings and seven starts, sporting a 2-0 record with a 2.68 ERA. While he doesn’t have the same strikeout ability as Lynn, Greinke limits hard contact and keeps the ball in the yard. Despite scoring six runs in their win on Tuesday night in Houston, this Texas lineup has scuffled virtually all season.
The under is 6-1 in the last seven meetings between these two teams in Houston and has cashed in six of the last seven games between these two teams overall.
THURSDAY MLB PREDICTION: RANGERS/ASTROS UNDER 7.5