Rangers vs. Astros Sunday Prediction
The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros played back-to-back high-scoring games in the first two matchups of their weekend series. Will Sunday play out opposite and turn low-scoring for bettors at 2:10 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
973 Texas Rangers (+230) at 974 Houston Astros (-270); 8.5 runs
Sunday, July 29, 2018
2:10 p.m. ET, Minute Maid Park
TV: TEX (FSSW); HOU (ATTH)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Astros as a -270 favorite. As of this writing, 65% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Astros to beat the Rangers on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Rangers’ Minor labors through five innings vs. A’s
Mike Minor labored through five frames Tuesday but allowed just two runs to the Athletics, taking a no-decision in the Rangers’ extra-innings loss. Mark Canha and Jed Lowrie both popped solo shots off the left-hander, but Minor gave up just two singles and a walk otherwise and fanned five. However, he needed a season-high 104 pitches to cover his five innings, leading to an early exit. Minor holds a 3.60 ERA over eight starts since the beginning of June, although he hasn’t been getting many swings and misses. He should be avoided Sunday in Houston.
Astros’ McCullers struggles in loss to Angels
Lance McCullers struggled in a loss to the Angels on Sunday, giving up five runs over 4 1/3 innings. McCullers couldn’t find the strike zone against Los Angeles, walking five hitters over that time. He also allowed six hits and a homer, so it wasn’t just the walks that plagued the right-hander. When McCullers is on, he’s brilliant, but there have been his fair share of disappointing starts in between the brilliance. McCullers now has an ERA of 4.01, and his K/BB ratio is 122/48 in just-under 117 innings. He’s back on the mound on Sunday for a contest with the Rangers.
MLB Betting Trends
Texas
The Rangers have lost all four of Minor’s last four starts and are just 1-5 in his last six road outings.
Houston
The Astros have won seven of McCullers’ last nine starts and are 5-1 in his last six home outings.
Prediction:
Despite each of the last two games in this series going over the total, I see plenty of value in the under for Game 3. The under is 3-1-1 in Minor’s last five road starts, is 6-2-1 in his last nine outings overall and is 15-7-2 in the Rangers’ last 24 road games. On the other side, the under has cashed in four of McCullers Jr.’s last five starts coming off six days of rest and is 11-4 in his last 15 home outings versus a team with a losing record.
The Pick: Rangers/Astros under 8.5