Rangers vs. Astros Prediction
After being held to just 1-hit by Cole Hamels on Friday, will the Houston Astros bounce back on Saturday when they host the Texas Rangers at 7:10PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
925 Texas Rangers at 926 Houston Astros
Saturday, May 12, 2018
7:10PM ET – Minute Maid Park
TV: ATSW; FSSW
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers, the Astros are the clear favorite in this game, as they are getting odds of -260 to win. The Rangers are being given odds of +220 to win, while the over/under total for the contest has been set at 8.5 runs. The public betting currently has 51 percent of the wagers going on the Astros at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Rangers win pitching duel
The Rangers stunned the Astros on Friday with a 1-0 victory in a pitching duel. Cole Hamels pitched six innings and allowed one hit while his bullpen went three hitless innings. Texas is now 16-24 overall and 9-8 on the road. The Rangers are averaging 4.10 runs per game while allowing 5.44 per contest.
Former Astro Doug Fister gets the start for the Rangers on Saturday. Fister is just 1-3 through six starts this season. He has a 4.02 ERA with a 1.53 WHIP. Fister has pitched 31.1 innings and has 25 strikeouts with 12 walks.
Astros bats go silent
In a similar issues from last week, the Astros failed to produce a run on Friday. It is the third time that have been shutout in 10 games. Houston is now 24-16 overall and 10-10 at home. The Astros are putting up 4.87 runs per game while allowing 2.77 per contest.
Charlie Morton takes the mound for the Astros tonight. He is 4-0 through seven starts with a 2.16 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. Morton has pitched in 41.2 innings this season and has 48 strikeouts with 17 walks.
MLB Betting Trends
Texas
The Rangers are just 10-21 in their last 31 games against AL West opponents and 15-29 in their last 44 games played on grass.
Houston
Houston has won seven of Morton’s last 10 home starts and they have won 29 of their last 42 home games overall. They also have won 22 of their last 31 divisional games.
Prediction:
The Astros have had a habit of going silent at the plate this season, but I don’t think it will happen against Fister. He is not Cole Hamels. The Texas bullpen also isn’t one to consistently put up three hitless innings. I think Morton can match or at least compete with what Justin Verlander gave Houston last night. That should be enough to get them the win.
The Pick: Houston Astros -260