Houston Astros (48-44) vs Texas Rangers (44-49)
Game Info: Friday, July 12, 2024 at 8:10 pm (Minute Maid Park)
The Line: Betting Odds: Houston Astros -145 / Texas Rangers +133 — Over/Under: 8.5
The Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros meet Friday in MLB action from Minute Maid Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Texas Rangers will send out Andrew Heaney for the start here and Heaney is 3-9 with a 3.80 ERA and 92 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against Houston, Heaney is 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA and 15 strikeouts. Hunter Brown will get the start for the Astros and is 6-6 with a 4.48 ERA and 100 strikeouts this season. In his career, Brown is 2-2 with a 3.60 ERA and 19 strikeouts against the Rangers.
Texas Rangers Recap
The Texas Rangers come into this one looking to bounce back after failing to complete the sweep of the Angels after a 7-2 loss in Wednesday’s series finale. Despite the loss, Texas has still won back-to-back series after sweeping the Rays last weekend.
Rangers Trying To Claw Back Into AL West Race
Marcus Semien leads the Rangers with 88 hits along with 17 doubles, 12 home runs and 50 RBIs while Adolis Garcia has 17 home runs and 45 RBIs with 15 doubles as well as 7 stolen bases. Jonah Heim has 8 homers and 36 RBIs and Josh Smith also has a team-high 19 doubles. Corey Seager also has 17 home runs with 45 RBIs of his own this season.
Why the Texas Rangers will win
- The underdogs have won 15 of the last 18 games between the Rangers and Astros.
- The Astros have lost five of their last six games as home favorites against American League opponents following a win.
- The Rangers have covered the run line in each of their last nine night games against the Astros at Minute Maid Park following a loss.
- The Astros have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six night games against the Rangers at Minute Maid Park following a home win.
Houston Astros Recap
The Houston Astros come into this one looking to build momentum after sweeping the Marlins thanks to a 6-3 win over Miami in Thursday’s series finale. The win and sweep helped Houston bounce back from a series loss to the Minnesota Twins last weekend.
Astros Breathing Down Seattle’s Neck In AL West Standings
Jose Altuve has 114 hits and a .306 batting average with 13 home runs, 41 RBIs and 18 doubles while Kyle Tucker has a team-high 19 homers with 11 doubles and 40 RBIs. Yordan Alvarez also has 19 homers with 51 RBIs and 21 doubles while Altuve has the Astros’ team lead with 14 stolen bases so far this season. Jeremy Pena also has 97 hits and a .277 batting average as well as 10 stolen bases of his own this season. Alex Bregman’s added 11 homers and 46 RBIs also.
Why the Houston Astros will win
- The Astros have won each of their last nine games at Minute Maid Park.
- The Rangers have lost nine of their last 10 road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last 10 games as favorites after playing the previous day.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 11 games against AL West opponents.
Rangers vs. Astros Prediction
I’m on the under here. I just think this is going to be a low-scoring duel as there’s a lot on the line between these two teams that don’t like each other, as a sweep could bring Texas right behind Houston or bring Houston into the AL West lead depending on what the Mariners do. Hunter Brown stunk in his last start but he’s been solid over the last month or so and does pitch better at home. Despite a poor record, Andrew Heaney’s actually pitched well in the last couple of months in his own right, so I’ll side with the under here.