Houston Astros (84-59) vs. Texas Rangers (53-90)
September 15, 2021 8:05 pm EDT
The Line: Texas Rangers +185 / Houston Astros -263; Over/Under: +9
(Get latest betting odds)
The Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers meet Wednesday in MLB action from Globe Life Field. This will be the third installment of a four-game set through the week. Houston took a big victory in the Monday opener, then on Tuesday Texas returned the favor with a seven-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Houston scored nine runs in the first three innings Monday, cruising to a 15-1 blowout win. In the Tuesday game, the Astros had six hits and scored in only the ninth inning in an 8-1 loss. Zack Greinke put up 5.0 innings with seven earned on five hits and three walks.
Starting pitcher for the Wednesday game three will be Houston’s Jose Urquidy. In his 84.2 innings this year Urquidy has 70 hits, 33 earned runs, 12 homers, 16 walks, 72 Ks and a 3.51 ERA.
Over on the Rangers’ side, they notched nine hits in the Monday loss but couldn’t get much going on the scoreboard. In the Tuesday game, Texas notched four runs in the sixth inning on the way to the victory. Jordan Lyles lasted 7.0 innings with three hits and one walk.
For the starter gig in the Wednesday game the Rangers will send out Kohei Arihara. In his 36.2 innings this season Arihara has 37 hits, 25 runs (24 earned), nine homers, 13 walks, 23 Ks and a 5.89 ERA.
The Astros are 1-4 in their last five in game three of a series and 36-16 in their last 51 versus the AL West. The under is 7-3-3 in Houston’s last 13 road games as well.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are 35-72 in their last 107 overall and 17-37 in their last 54 versus the AL West. Texas is 5-13 in their last 18 in game three of a series.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Astros. It’ll be interesting to see what both these starters can do, however. Arihara has given up three earned over his last two appearances with five hits and two homers in 8.0 innings. As for Urquidy, he’s been choppy on four earned, nine hits and three walks over his last two starts in 7.1 innings. That said, I like Urquidy to have a good outing here and help put Houston in a winning spot.
