Rangers vs. Astros Pick
Are the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros going to reach the total Thursday afternoon in their series finale at a neutral site in Tampa Bay’s Tropicana Field? First pitch is 7:05PM EST.
Oddsmakers at the sports book Bovada.lv have made the Astros a -155 favorite to win on the moneyline The Rangers are a +135 underdog, while the over-under is 8.5.
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Nick Martinez (3-5, 5.26 ERA) draws the start for the Rangers, while the Astros will go with Colin McHugh (2-2, 3.63 ERA). Martinez has a 1.33 WHIP with 50 strikeouts in 87 1/3 innings. He gave up three earned runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and two walks over seven innings in a 3-1 loss at the Athletics his last time out. McHugh comes in with a 1.24 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings. He gave up one earned run on three hits with eight strikeouts and two walks over six innings in his last start, a 2-1 win at the Angels.
The Rangers are 66-66 on the season and the Astros are 79-53. Texas has won six of the last 10 matchups between the two teams, while the over-under is 3-5-2 in the 10 games.
In Wednesday’s win, a six-run fourth inning sent Texas to the win. Mike Napoli paced the offense with a three-run homer. Elvis Andrus was 3-for-5 with a double, two runs and three RBI. Carlos Gomez was 2-for-5 wtih a run and two RBIs. Dallas Keuchel took the loss as he allowed six earned runs over six innings.
Martinez is very hittable from both sides of the plate and the Astros feature a lineup ready to pounce after taking a couple games off in Tampa Bay. While the mindset of the Astros players is still on Hurricane Harvey, this is a great spot for the Astros to get back on the right track.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: HOUSTON ASTROS -155