Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros Prediction MLB Picks 7/14/24

The Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros meet Sunday 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 Max Scherzer for the start here and Scherzer is 1-2 with a 3.09 ERA and 17 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against Houston, Scherzer is 3-1 with a 3.27 ERA and 44 strikeouts. Ronel Blanco will start for Houston here and Blanco is 9-3 with a 2.53 ERA and 95 strikeouts this season. In his career, Blanco is 2-0 with a 2.65 ERA and 11 strikeouts against Texas.

Texas Rangers Recap

The Texas Rangers will look to win the series after posting a 2-1 win over Houston in Saturday’s matchup, evening up this pivotal AL West division series up at one win apiece. The win gives the Rangers a chance at three straight series wins going into the all-star break with wins over the Angels and Rays over the last week.

Rangers Trying To Claw Back Into AL West Race

Marcus Semien leads the Rangers with 92 hits along with 17 doubles, 13 home runs and 51 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 18 home runs with 48 RBIs of his own this season.

Why the Texas Rangers will win

• The Rangers have won each of their last six day games following a win.
• The Astros have lost each of their last three day games against American League opponents.
• The Astros have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five day games at Minute Maid Park after going to extra innings.
• The Rangers have covered the run line in five of their last six day games following a win.

Houston Astros Recap

The Houston Astros will try to bounce back and win the rubber match of the series after taking the loss in Saturday’s matchup. The loss obviously isn’t ideal for Houston, but they still have a chance at a series win after taking down the Marlins to start the week.

Astros Trying To Catch Mariners Atop AL West

Jose Altuve has 117 hits and a .306 batting average with 14 home runs, 44 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 52 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 .272 batting average as well as 10 stolen bases of his own this season. Alex Bregman’s added 12 homers and 47 RBIs also.

Why the Houston Astros will win

• The Astros have won each of their last seven games at Minute Maid Park following a loss.
• The Rangers have lost each of their last five games at Minute Maid Park after going to extra innings.
• The Astros have covered the run line in each of their last nine home games after playing the previous day.
• The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six day games against AL West opponents.

Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros Prediction

I’m on the under here. These teams will meet a few more times the rest of the way, but this series has kind of had a playoff-type feel to it as both are trying to forge their way back in the AL West after a rough start and the AL West feels like it’s going to be a division that’s the most up for grabs the rest of the way this year. I think Scherzer vs. Blanco sets up to be quite the pitcher’s duel, and in the end, I think we have a low-scoring battle. Give me the under.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Under 8.5