Houston Astros vs Texas Rangers Prediction 5/17/25 MLB Picks

The Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers meet Saturday in MLB action from Globe Life Field. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers prediction.

Starting Pitching Matchup

The Houston Astros will send out Ronel Blanco for the start here, and Blanco is 3-3 with a 4.04 ERA and 43 strikeouts this season. In his career, Blanco is 2-1 with a 2.74 ERA and 16 strikeouts against Texas. The Texas Rangers will trot out Tyler Mahle for the start here, and Mahle is 4-1 with a 1.47 ERA and 37 strikeouts this season. In his career, Mahle is 0-2 with a 3.50 ERA and 15 strikeouts against Houston.

Houston Astros Recap

The Houston Astros come into this game looking to build on their 6-3 win over the Rangers from Friday’s matchup to improve to 23-21 on the year. After this series, the Astros will head on the road for a series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Astros Looking To Build Some Consistency

Jose Altuve has 41 hits, including 4 home runs and 14 RBIs. Jeremy Pena also has 52 hits with 6 homers and 23 RBIs with 6 stolen bases, while Yordan Alvarez has 4 doubles and 18 RBIs with 21 strikeouts as well. Jake Meyers has 7 doubles as well, and Christian Walker has also accrued a team-high 51 strikeouts so far this season. Altuve also has 3 stolen bases, while Jake Meyers has a team-high 7 stolen bases this season. Isaac Paredes also has a team-high 6 home runs with 19 RBIs of his own, and Cam Smith has contributed 3 homers and 11 RBIs.

Why the Houston Astros will win

• The Astros have won each of their last seven games as underdogs against the Rangers following a road win.
• The Rangers have lost six of their last seven games as favorites against the Astros following a home loss.
• The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last nine games as underdogs against the Rangers following a win.
• The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight home games against the Astros following a loss.

Houston Astros Player Prop Facts

• Jeremy Pena has recorded at least one Single in 13 of the Astros’ last 14 games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
• Yordan Alvarez has hit a home run in four of his last five road appearances against the Rangers.
• Yordan Alvarez has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last six road appearances against AL opponents that held a winning record.
• Yordan Alvarez has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances in night games against AL teams that held a winning record.
• Yordan Alvarez has scored at least one run in each of his last six road appearances against AL opponents that held a winning record.

Texas Rangers Recap

The Texas Rangers come into this game looking to bounce back from their loss at the hands of the Astros in Friday’s matchup to see their record slip to 24-22 on the year. After this series, the Rangers will head on the road for a series against the New York Yankees.

Rangers Have Six-Game Win Streak Snapped

Corey Seager has 30 hits, including 6 home runs and 12 RBIs, while Adolis Garcia has 36 hits with 10 doubles, 6 home runs, 24 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases. Josh Jung has 37 hits with 6 doubles, 6 home runs, and 17 RBIs, while Wyatt Langford has 33 hits with 6 doubles, 8 home runs, 18 RBIs, and 7 stolen bases, and Jonah Heim has 5 homers and 12 RBIs. Leody Taveras also has 6 stolen bases on the year.

Why the Texas Rangers will win

• The Astros have lost each of their last eight road games following a win.
• The Rangers have won each of their last 14 Saturday games as favorites against AL West opponents.
• The Astros have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six road games following a win.
• The Rangers have covered the run line in four of their last five games against American League opponents following a loss.

Texas Rangers Player Prop Facts

• Tyler Mahle has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances in night games.
• Tyler Mahle has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances with his team as a favorite against AL West opponents.
• Corey Seager has recorded at least one Single in each of his last eight appearances against AL West opponents.
• Corey Seager has hit a home run in four of his last seven appearances in night games against AL West teams that held a winning record.
• 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 hit in each of his last 11 appearances against AL opponents.
• Corey Seager has scored at least one run in each of his last seven appearances against AL opponents.
• Tyler Mahle ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for Earned Run Average (1.47) this season.

Total Runs Facts

• Thirteen of the Astros’ last 15 night games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Nineteen of the Rangers’ last 25 home games have gone UNDER the total runs line.

Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Prediction

I’m on the Rangers here. I was left disappointed with the Rangers’ win streak coming to an end on Friday, but I think this is a good spot for a bounce-back. Mahle’s been outstanding out of nowhere so far to start the year, and Blanco hasn’t been as effective when you’ve taken him out on the road so far this season, and in fairness, neither has the Astros’ batting lineup. I think Texas exacts some revenge here, so give me the Rangers in this one.