Rangers vs Astros Prediction - MLB Picks 7/24/23

Houston Astros (56-44) vs Texas Rangers (59-41)

Game Info: Monday, July 24, 2023 at 8:10 pm (Minute Maid Park)

Brandon Bielak (5-5) (3.46) vs Jon Gray (6-5) (3.31)

Betting Odds: Houston Astros -105 / Texas Rangers -105 --- Over/Under: 8.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers will face off in divisional action, starting this Monday from Minute Maid Park.

Rangers Betting Preview

Texas moved to 59-41 after dropping two of three to Los Angeles. The Rangers avoided the sweep by taking game three, and they’ll look for better success here in Houston. 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. Corey Seager picked up an injury after homering against his former team, and he will likely miss some time this week. Marcus Semien plated a run in the game three victory,!and he leads the team in hits (112) and runs (78), with splits of .271/14/61. Nathaniel Lowe has produced a run in three straight games, and he’s posting a line of .283/11/53. Adolis Garcia was quiet at the plate last week, leads the Rangers in home runs (24) and RBI (80).

Jon Gray (6-5, 3.31 ERA, 83 Ks) will take the mound for Texas. The ninth-year pitcher tossed 4.1 scoreless innings last time en route to a win over Tampa, but he did allow eight hits. Gray’s hot start has been melted by the summer heat, as he’s winless through six starts since June 18th, while giving up four runs or more in four or those outings. Gray struggled in his last matchup versus Houston, allowing five runs in six innings, and he’ll attempt to regain some steam here.

Astros Betting Preview

Houston enters at 56-44 after taking two of three from Oakland. The Astros needed a ninth inning run to get out of the Bay with a series victory, and they’ll need to play much better here against Texas. The pitching staff carries a 3.32 ERA, with a 1.25 WHIP. Kyle Tucker brings a nine-game hit streak into this contest, and he leads the Astros in hits (108), with splits of .302/17/69. Alex Bregman homered in three straight games against Oakland, and he’s posting splits of .252/16/63. Jose Abreu has recorded a hit in seven of the previous ten games, and he’s totaled 50 RBI for the season.

Brandon Bielak (5-5, 3.46 ERA, 50 Ks) will make the home start for Houston. The fourth-year pitcher returned to action with a solid outing at Coors, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings to earn his fifth victory of the season. Bielak has dealt with inconsistency this season, but he’s pitched noticeably better at Minute Maid, allowing two runs or less in five of six home spots this season.

Texas vs Houston Trends

Texas is 59-41 ATS this year, with a 52-40-8 over/under record. Houston is 51-49 against the spread this season, with a 48-50-2 O/U record.

Corey’s Free Pick

Both division leaders struggled over the weekend, but I think the hosts will come out strong for this one. Houston is only three games back of the AL West lead, but a sense of urgency should be placed on these matchups with Texas. Jon Gray’s shaky form also makes this contest appealing for the Astros, as he’s gone cold since the start of June. Back Houston for this Lone Star battle.