Astros vs. Rangers Prediction
The Houston Astros are one game out of first place in the AL West as they open a series at the last-place Texas Rangers. Will Houston take advantage of being the stronger team starting with game one tonight?
Game Snapshot
917 Houston Astros at 918 Texas Rangers
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Globe Life Park at 8:05PM ET
TV: FSSW (TEX)
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Astros are a -165 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Rangers are a +155 underdog, while the over-under is set at 9 runs. As of Thursday morning, 78 percent of public bets are pouring in on visiting Houston. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
Astros snap three-game skid
Houston salvaged a split of a quick two-game series at home with first-place Seattle, winning 7-5 Wednesday to pull within one game of the Mariners in the standings. A three-run fourth inning and a four-run seventh inning propelled Houston to the victory. George Springer went 2-for-4 with two doubles, a walk, a run and an RBI from the leadoff spot. Alex Bregman was 2-for-4 with a walk, a run and an RBI. Yuli Gurriel was 1-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. Evan Gattis finished 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk. Chris Devenski earned the win in relief.
Rangers win both home games vs. A’s
Texas rolled to 7-4 and 8-2 victories at home over Oakland as the cellar-dwelling Rangers have now won three of four. In Wednesday’s finale, 45-year-old Bartolo Colon recorded the win as he allowed two earned runs on six hits with one strikeout and two walks over five innings. Jurickson Profar was the hitting hero as he was 3-for-5 with two home runs and five RBIs. Ronald Guzman connected on a two-run homer. Joey Gallo added a solo home run, going back-to-back with Profar in the first inning.
Garrett Cole (6-1, 2.20 ERA) will take the mound today for the Astros, while Cole Hamels (3-5, 3.63) draws the start for the Rangers.
MLB Betting Trends
Houston
The Astros are 7-1 in the last eight meetings at Texas. Houston is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings overall.
Texas
The Rangers are 1-7 in Hamels’ last eight home starts. The over is 7-2-2 in the last 11 Texas home games.
Prediction:
Cole has been filthy all season and should be the kind of arm that slows down a Rangers offense that got hot all of a sudden. Houston is in the thick of a race for the top spot in the AL West and although still very early in the season, it certainly doesn’t want to allow Seattle to pull too much ahead. Upsets are fun and so is that plus money, but we shouldn’t chase it here. Stick with betting on the favored Astros as there are too many bats who give lefties like Hamels trouble.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: HOUSTON ASTROS -165