Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros Prediction 9-4-23 MLB Picks
The Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers meet in game one of their three-game AL West division set from Globe Life Field on Monday. Two teams chasing the AL West title, who draws first blood? Let’s dive in and find out.
Astros Swept By Yankees
The Houston Astros had a chance to pick up some key wins over the weekend to their playoff chase but ended up getting swept by New York following a 6-1 loss in Sunday’s series finale. The loss dropped the Astros to 77-61 on the year, sitting 1 game back in the AL West race and 1.5 games ahead of Toronto for the final Wild Card spot. Kyle Tucker leads the Astros across the board, hitting .289 with 142 hits, 26 home runs and 99 RBIs with 31 doubles while Alex Bregman has 22 homers with 90 RBIs and Yordan Alvarez has added 23 homers and 77 RBIs. Tucker also has a team-high 26 stolen bases this season. J.P. France will start for Houston here and is 10-5 with a 3.49 ERA and 86 strikeouts this season.
Houston Astros Team Facts
- The Astros have won each of their last 11 games against the Rangers following a loss.
- The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last 11 games as underdogs following a loss.
- The Astros have won the first inning in three of their last four games as underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Astros have led after 3 innings in four of their last five games as underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
Houston Astros Player Prop Facts
- Alex Bregman has hit a home run in four of the Astros' last five road games against AL West opponents.
- Yordan Alvarez has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last 10 Monday appearances against AL West teams that held a winning record.
- Jeremy Pena has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last five appearances in day games against AL West teams that held a winning record.
- Jose Altuve has scored at least one run in 12 of his last 13 appearances at Globe Life Field.
- Kyle Tucker has recorded at least one hit in each of the Astros' last 15 games at Globe Life Field.
Rangers Salvage Win Vs. Twins
The Texas Rangers were on the verge of being swept themselves after salvaging a 6-5 win in Sunday’s series finale. The loss dropped Texas to 76-60, also 1 game back in the AL West and also tied for the final Wild Card spot in the AL, 1.5 games up on Toronto. Adolis Garcia has a team-high 34 home runs and 100 RBIs while Marcus Semien has a team-high 154 hits along with 33 doubles this season. Nathaniel Lowe also has a .280 batting average, a .374 OBP and 37 doubles this season. Corey Seager’s also chipped in 26 home runs and 81 RBIs with a .341 average so far this year. Andrew Heaney will start for the Rangers here and is 9-6 with a 4.16 ERA and 134 strikeouts this season.
Texas Rangers Team Facts
- The Rangers have lost each of their last six games against the Astros following a home win.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in 15 of their last 16 games.
- The Rangers have trailed after 7 innings in six of their last seven games as home favorites.
- The Rangers have led after 3 innings in each of their last four day games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Rangers' last five Monday day games.
Texas Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Adolis Garcia has hit a home run in each of the Rangers' last two games as favorites.
- Mitch Garver has recorded at least one RBI in eight of his last 10 appearances against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
- Corey Seager has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last eight home appearances against the Astros after playing the previous day.
- Andrew Heaney has recorded five or more strikeouts in 15 of his last 17 home appearances against AL West opponents.
- Corey Seager has scored at least one run in eight of his last nine home appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
- Mitch Garver has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances against the Astros after playing the previous day.
- Corey Seager ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.341) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Texas Rangers ranks 2nd in the league for hits this season (1265).
- The Texas Rangers ranks 2nd in the league for doubles this season (290).
- The Houston Astros ranks 3rd in the league for strikeouts against this season (1068).
- The Houston Astros are one of only 4 teams in the league to rank top 10 in both strikeouts and on-base percentage this season.
Chris’ Pick
I’m sticking with the Astros here. I’ve been burned a couple of times by Houston as of late, but the reality is the Astros are still a deadly lineup against lefties and Heaney is a mid lefty at best. France has been better on the road this season and the Rangers have been struggling for the most part prior to their win on Sunday against Minnesota. Give me Houston here.
