Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers, 4/19/2019 Predictions & Odds

Astros vs. Rangers Friday Prediction

With Drew Smyly on the hill tonight for the Rangers, will the Astros score enough runs to push their team total over the number? First pitch is set for 8:05 p.m. ET Houston and Texas.

Game Snapshot & Odds

923 Houston Astros (-213) at 924 Texas Rangers (+195); 9.5 runs

Friday, April 19, 2019

8:05 p.m. ET, Globe Life Park, Arlington, TX

Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new Baseball Odds & Betting Page.

Public Betting Trends

According to our MLB Public Betting Chart page, 67% of the betting tickets are on the Astros to beat the Rangers on the moneyline.

Houston Astros Fantasy Spin

Michael Brantley went 1-for-3 with an RBI single and a walk as the Astros’ 10-game win streak came to an end with a loss to the Athletics on Wednesday. Brantley plated the Astros’ lone run of the contest with an opposite-field, RBI single off Athletics’ starter Frankie Montas in the sixth inning. He also drew a leadoff walk against closer Blake Treinen to put the tying run on base in the ninth, but was left stranded in scoring position. The 31-year-old contact-oriented veteran has heated up after a brief adjustment period in Houston. He’s slashing a robust .299/.365/.433 with eight runs scored, two homers and 12 RBI in 74 plate appearances. He’s also chipped in a pair of stolen bases for good measure.

Texas Rangers Fantasy Spin

Shin-Soo Choo went 2-for-3 with a triple, two RBI, two runs scored and a walk to lead the Rangers to a 5-4 win over the Angels on Wednesday. Choo finally made his first All-Star team after a big first half last year, only to collapse in the second half and end up with something that looked like a perfectly average season. He's off to another fast start now, as he's hitting .345/.446/.600 in 55 at-bats. The Rangers will gladly trade him if anyone comes calling, though it seems unlikely that it will happen anytime soon.

MLB Betting Trends

Houston

The Astros are 18-5 in their last 23 games against the Rangers in Texas.

Texas

The Rangers are 5-1 in their last six games versus the Astros overall and are 4-1 in their last five games against Justin Verlander.

Prediction:

I got torched with my team totals on Thursday, as the Braves, Nationals and Yankees all fell under their posted numbers. That won’t scare me off of taking the same route with the Astros tonight, however. Smyly has not pitched well in his three starts this season, posting a 5.41 SIERA to go along with a walk rate of 13%. He’s a fly-ball pitcher that gives up a ton of hard contact, pitching in a stadium where the ball flies. The Astros should mash tonight.

The Pick: Astros Team Total OVER 5.5 Runs (-125)