Texas Rangers (25-41) vs. Houston Astros (37-28)
June 15, 2021 8:10 pm EDT
The Line: Houston Astros -167 / Texas Rangers +154; Over/Under: -8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros meet Tuesday in MLB action from Minute Maid Park. The Rangers are coming off a weekend series versus the Dodgers. Texas won the Saturday game but lost the other two installments. As for the Astros, they played the Twins over the weekend. Houston lost their Saturday game but won Friday and Sunday. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Texas posted a rough 12-1 loss in the Friday game versus the Dodgers, but bounced back to return the favor 12-1 on Saturday. In the Sunday rubber match, the Rangers fell 5-3. In that one, starter Dane Dunning lasted 4.0 innings with four earned on seven hits and two walks.
For the Tuesday starter role, the Rangers are sending out Kyle Gibson. Across 71.2 innings of work this year, Gibson has 51 hits, 18 runs (17 earned), five homers, 21 walks, 58 Ks and a 2.13 ERA.
Over on the Astros’ side, they lost their Saturday game to the Twins 5-2 but otherwise won Friday 6-4 and Sunday 14-3. In the finale win, Houston’s Framber Valdez put up 7.0 innings with five hits, three walks, one earned and two Ks.
In the starter position Tuesday, the Astros are going with Lance McCullers. Over 51.2 innings of work this year, McCullers has 34 hits, 17 earned runs, five homers allowed, 26 walks, 59 Ks and a 2.96 ERA.
The Rangers are 17-40 in their last 57 Tuesday games and 15-37 in their last 52 after an off day. Texas is 15-40 in their last 55 in game one of a series and 7-23 in their last 30 overall.
Meanwhile, the Astros are 43-17 in their last 60 after an off day and 10-4 in their last 14 overall. Houston is 5-2 in their last seven versus a right-handed starter and 121-57 in their last 178 home games.
PICK: I’m going to take a stab on the Rangers. McCullers is coming off the IL for this one, his first start since May 22. Houston probably won’t leave McCullers in there for more than a few innings, and he’ll be followed by Jake Odorizzi in a piggyback start. As for Gibson, he’s given up just two earned on nine hits with 10 Ks in 11.1 innings over his last two starts. I like Gibson to keep it rolling here.
