Astros vs Rangers Prediction
The Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers will meet in Arlington for game three of divisional series this Sunday from Globe Life Field. Texas took game two after jumping out to an early lead, 5-2.
Astros Betting Preview
Houston enters at 45-38 after losing to Texas. The Astros squandered through eight innings at the plate in game two, and they’ll look to respond Sunday. The Houston offense is scoring 4.66 runs per game, while batting .246, with a .314 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.32 ERA, with a 1.25 WHIP. Kyle Tucker supplied the only runs with a two-run shot in Saturday’s loss, and he leads the Astros in hits (84), with splits of .286/12/51. Jeremy Peña has collected a hit in eight of the last ten games, and he’s batting .247, with 30 RBI. Alex Bregman doubled in the game two loss, and he’s posting a line of .249/12/53.
Shawn Dubin (0-0, 10.80 ERA, 8 Ks) is set to open for Houston. The first-year righty pitched better in his second bullpen start in St. Louis last week, striking out four in two innings, but still allowing a run to the Cardinals. Dubin struggled against the Mets in his debut, and this will mark his third career appearance.
Rangers Betting Preview
Texas moved to 50-33 after defeating Houston. The Rangers responded with a game two victory, and they’ll look to take control of the series here in the third battle. The Texas offense is scoring 4.88 runs per game, while batting .272, with a .341 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.77 ERA, with a 1.20 WHIP. Marcus Semien has multiple hits in six of the previous eight games, and he leads the team in hits (101) and runs (67), with nice splits of .287/11/56. Corey Seager has a base knock in nine of the last eleven contests, and he’s leading the AL in batting (.348), with ten home runs and 49 RBI. Adolis Garcia has recorded a double in three of the last four games, and he leads the Rangers in home runs (20) and RBI (66).
Andrew Heaney (4-3, 3.76 ERA, 55 Ks) will take the mound for Texas. The tenth-year pitcher struggled in a manageable spot at home versus Detroit last week, allowing six runs in 5.2 innings pitched to drop his fifth decision. Heaney didn’t perform that well last month, but he did manage to toss five scoreless innings on the road in Houston back in April, and he’ll look to replicate that outing here against the Astros.
Houston vs Texas Trends
Houston is 43-40 against the spread this season, with a 41-40-2 O/U record. Texas is 51-32 ATS this year, with a 44-31-8 over/under record.
Corey’s Free Pick
Houston looks set to turn the bullpen Sunday, and I like the hosting Rangers capitalizing on that. Texas has so much consistency within the lineup, it feels like they can strike at any time in any innings, while their in-state rival has struggled without their best bat. Houston felt Yordan Alvarez’ absence in game two, and it’s hard to trust them on the road without him. Back Texas to take game three, and after just missing the Over by a run yesterday, with two pitchers liable to allow production set to go here, I support barking back up that tree as well.
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