Rangers vs. Astros Pick
Can the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers have a big day at the plate when the two meet up tonight at 8:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Astros are the clear favorite at home, as they are getting odds of -180 to win. The Rangers are listed with a money line of+165 to prevail, while the over/under total is set at 9.5 runs.
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The pitching matchup tonight features Nick Martinez (1-3, 4.88 ERA) on the mound for Texas to face Brad Peacock (3-1, 3.15) of the Astros. Peacock has three starts this year, but was mostly used as a reliever. His starts have seen him give up 10 earned runs over 13.2 innings. His WHIP on the season is 1.19 as he has 48 strikeouts and 18 walks. Martinez has been hot-and-cold this season. He gave up 7 runs to the Astros earlier this season, but also pitched 3.1 scoreless innings against them last week. He has 28 strikeouts with 11 walks this season and a 1.29 WHIP.
These two have met eight times this season, with Houston winning six of the meetings. They have gone 4-3-1 with the over in those eight games. Monday’s game saw Texas pick up a 6-1 win at Houston. The Astros are now 44-21 overall, 21-13 at home and 32-27 with the over. Texas is 31-32 overall, 13-18 on the road and 34-28 with the under.
Monday saw Yu Darvish throw a gem, allowing just one run on one hit over 7 innings of work. Jeremy Jeffress added two scoreless innings in relief. Houston used four pitchers, all of whom allowed at least one run. Nomar Mazara had the big day for Texas, driving in three on a home run in the eighth. Adrian Beltre and Rougned Odor both had two hits and a RBI.
Both teams have plenty of pop in their lineup and I think we will see that tonight against these two starters. Peacock hasn’t flourished in the starting roll isn’t getting deep into contests. Martinez has already been lit up by Houston earlier this season in a start as well. With Houston being held to just two hits on Monday, the Astros should bounce back in a big way tonight.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: RANGERS/ASTROS OVER 9.5