Astros vs Rangers Prediction 5/18/25 MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate an Astros vs Rangers prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, May 18th at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Houston Astros Betting Preview

The Houston Astros are 23-22 this year after they lost two of the first three games in this series by scores of 0-1, 6-3, and 1-5. In their game three loss, Houston led 1-0 in the first inning, but they went scoreless over the last eight innings for the loss. The Astros recorded five hits, and they committed three errors in the game, while they were led by Walker, who had the lone RBI in the loss. Houston started Blanco, who allowed five hits and three earned runs over 6.0 innings, while Sousa allowed one hit and two earned runs in one relief inning. 

Prior to this series, the Astros won two out of three against the Royals and two out of three against the Reds. Houston has won three of their last five games, and they are currently third in the AL West standings. The Houston pitching staff has a 3.40 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP and a .212 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 181 runs with a .247 batting average and a .319 on-base percentage this season. Jeremy Pena has led Houston with six home runs and 23 RBIs, while Isaac Paredes has added six home runs and 21 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Houston is Framber Valdez, who is 2-4 with a 3.54 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP over 56.0 innings pitched this year. 

Texas Rangers Betting Preview

The Texas Rangers are 25-22 this season after they won game three in this series by a score of 5-1. Texas trailed early in the game, but they tied the game in the third and added four more in the sixth and seventh for the win. The Rangers recorded six hits in the game, and they were led by Langford and Pederson, who both had two RBIs in the win. Texas started Mahle, who allowed five hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings for the win, while Webb, Martin, and Garcia combined for three scoreless innings. 

Prior to this series, the Rangers swept the Rockies in three games and won two out of three against the Tigers. Texas has won seven of its last eight games, and they are currently second in the AL West standings. The Texas pitching staff has a 3.22 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP and a .224 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 163 runs with a .228 batting average and a .290 on-base percentage this season. Adolis Garcia has led Texas with six home runs and 24 RBIs, while Wyatt Langford has added nine home runs and 20 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Texas is Jack Leiter, who is 3-2 with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP over 29.0 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Astros will beat the Rangers 

• The Astros have won each of their last six day games against AL West opponents following a road loss.
• The Rangers have lost eight of their last 10 games against the Astros at Globe Life Field following a home win.
• The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last seven day games following a loss.
• The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games against the Astros at Globe Life Field following a win.
• The Rangers have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five day games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
• The Rangers have trailed after 5 innings in nine of their last 12 day games against American League opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Astros’ last seven day games against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Twenty of the Rangers’ last 26 home games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the last 10 day games between the Astros and Rangers.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Astros’ last seven games against American League opponents.

Texas Rangers Player Prop Facts

• Jake Burger has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances at Globe Life Field against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
• Corey Seager has scored at least one run in each of his last six appearances.
• Corey Seager has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances against the Astros at Globe Life Field.
• Corey Seager has recorded at least one RBI in four of his last five appearances against AL opponents that held a winning record.
• Corey Seager has recorded at least one Single in eight of his last nine home appearances against AL opponents that held a winning record.

Houston Astros Player Prop Facts

• Victor Caratini has recorded at least one RBI in four of his last five appearances in day games against AL West teams that held a winning record.
• Framber Valdez has recorded six or more strikeouts in four of his last five road appearances against AL opponents.
• Framber Valdez has recorded a win in four of his five previous appearances at Globe Life Field.
• Yordan Alvarez has scored at least one run in five of his last six appearances at Globe Life Field.
• Yordan Alvarez has hit a home run in four of his last five appearances against the Rangers at Globe Life Field.
• Yordan Alvarez has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances against AL opponents that held a winning record.
• Yordan Alvarez has recorded a Single in each of his last five appearances against AL opponents that held a winning record.

Astros vs Rangers Prediction 

Texas was able to pick up another win on Saturday, and they continue to be one of the hottest teams in the MLB over the last two weeks. The Rangers are 17-9 at home this year, while the Astros are 8-13 on the road. Houston will look for the series split with a win here, and they will turn to Valdez, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. Texas is starting Leiter, who has allowed four earned runs or more in two of his last three starts. I know Houston struggles away from home, but I have to back Valdez here.