Rangers vs. Astros Pick
Along with a winning record, the Houston Astros have managed to produce a winning record with the run line in 2018. Can they pick up another multi-run win tonight when they host the Texas Rangers at 8:10PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
973 Texas Rangers at 974 Houston Astros
Friday, April 13, 2018
8:10PM ET, Minute Maid Park
TV: ATSW; FSSW
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Astros are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -230 to prevail. The Rangers have odds of +210 on the road. Currently, 68% of the wagers are going on the Astros at home tonight. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Astros coming off back-to-back losses
The Houston Astros are off to a 9-4 start to the season, yet managed back-to-back losses to the Twins in Minnesota. Now Houston returns home, where it is 5-1. Of those five wins, three have been by multiple runs. The Astros are averaging 4.46 runs per game this season while allowing 2.92 per contest.
Gerrit Cole is getting the start tonight for the Astros. He has looked solid in his first two starts, going seven innings in each game. Cole has allowed just one earned run over the 14 innings with 22 strikeouts and three walks.
Can Hamels save the Rangers?
Texas is coming off being swept at home by the Angels for their fifth loss in six games, all of which were in Arlington. Texas is now 4-10 overall and 2-2 on the road. The Rangers are putting up 3.14 runs per game this season while allowing 5.50 per contest.
Cole Hamels hopes to stop the bleeding tonight for the Rangers, but his numbers aren’t that great either. He has a 5.06 ERA and 1.63 WHIP after three starts this season. He has yet to go six full innings in each of the starts and has allowed five home runs with 23 strikeouts and nine walks.
MLB Betting Trends
Texas
The Rangers have lost 8 of Hamels’ last 11 starts against a winning team and they are just 5-16 in their last 21 games against AL West opponents. They also have lost 13 of their last 16 against winning opponents.
Houston
The Astros have won 13 of their last 16 games against AL West opponents. They also have won 37 of their last 54 series openers and 36 of their last 53 home games.
Prediction:
Hamels has already taken a loss against the Astros in Houston, giving up three runs in 5.2 innings of work. I think we will see similar results tonight. The Astros have gotten great pitching and the Rangers haven’t been able to produce runs. Texas’ pitching also hasn’t helped matters. I like the Astros to win big tonight and cover the run line.
The Pick: Houston Astros -1.5 (-125)