Astros vs. Rangers Pick
Can the Houston Astros get on track when they begin a weekend road series with the Texas Rangers at 8:05PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Houston is the slight favorite on the road, as the Astros are getting odds of -115 to win, while the Rangers are getting a money line of +105 to prevail. The over/under total for the contest has been listed at 10 runs. Houston has won seven of the last 10 meetings with Texas this season.
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The pitching matchup today has Charlie Morton (9-4, 3.78 ERA) on the mound for Houston to face Cole Hamels (6-1, 3.59) of the Rangers. Hamels is coming off a complete-game four-hitter against the Twins last weekend. He has 53 strikeouts this season with 24 walks and a 1.07 WHIP. Morton has been steady lately, allowing just five earned runs over his last three starts, a total of 20 innings. He has 104 strikeouts with 36 walks and a 1.23 WHIP.
Houston has been a mess lately. The Astros were just swept by the White Sox in Chicago. They have now lost seven of their last nine games. The Astros are now 71-43 overall and 38-18 on the road. They are putting up 5.82 runs per game while allowing 4.42 per contest. Jose Altuve is leading the team with 34 doubles, 17 home runs, 25 stolen bases and 64 RBI. George Springer has added 27 home runs and 66 RBI.
Texas is coming off a split with the Mets. The Rangers have lost three of their last five games, but returning from a road trip. Texas is 54-59 overall and 28-26 at home this year. The Rangers are putting up 4.90 runs per game while allowing 4.87. Elvis Andrus is leading the Rangers with 31 doubles, 15 home runs and 59 RBI. Joey Gallo has added 32 home runs and 61 RBI.
The Astros are just looking awful right now. The loss of Carlos Correa to the lineup may be having an impact, but the pitching has also gotten worse. Morton has looked great, but Hamels showed he still has a lot going for him in his last start. Hamels can build off that tonight against a struggling Houston lineup. Morton may have a good outing, but I don’t think he will get the run support he needs.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: TEXAS RANGERS +105