Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros Prediction 7-2-23 MLB Picks
The Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers meet Sunday in MLB action from Globe Life Field. This will be the finale in a three-game weekend series. The Astros took a two-run win in the opener, then on Saturday Texas evened things up with a three-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Houston Astros
The Astros scored three runs in the sixth inning Friday, capping off a 5-3 opener victory. On Saturday Houston couldn’t score until the ninth inning in a 5-2 loss. Starter Hunter Brown gave up three on 10 hits in 4.0 innings of work.
For the starter job in the finale, Houston will go with Shawn Dubin. This year in two games (zero starts—the first two games of his career) Dubin has 5.0 innings with eight Ks and no decisions so far.
Texas Rangers
Over on the Texas side, they blew an early 3-1 lead Friday and couldn’t fight their way back on five team hits. On Saturday the Rangers out-hit Houston 15-4 in the win. Starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi lasted 7.0 clean frames with two hits and four walks.
Andrew Heaney will take the mound for the start on Sunday. Across his 15 starts this year Heaney is 5-5 with a 4.38 ERA and 81 Ks in 78.0 innings. Heaney is 41-47 with a 4.54 ERA in 152 career games (141 starts).
The Astros are 27-9 in their last 36 Sunday games and 41-14 in their last 55 versus a lefty starter. Houston is 50-18 in their last 68 in game three of a series.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are 10-3 in their last 13 Sunday games and 4-1 in their last five in game three of a series. The over is 3-0-3 in Texas’ last six in game three of a series.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stay with the Astros here. Texas’ fortunes are going to be tied to Heaney, as he’s coming off a rough start. Heaney put up six earned in 5.2 innings versus the Tigers back on June 26. The Astros could have some opportunities early if he doesn’t bounce back. On Saturday Houston had a pretty sketchy start from Brown on 4.0 innings and three earned, but the pen posted 4.0 frames with just one earned on five hits and two walks. If Dubin can get a reasonable handful of innings in the finale I think Houston will be okay. Not touching it, though.
