In this article we will formulate an Astros vs Rangers prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, August 2nd at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Houston Astros Betting Preview
The Houston Astros are 57-55 this season after they won the first two games by scores of 11-2 and 5-4. In game two, Houston scored five runs in the first four innings and was able to hang on for the win. The Astros recorded nine hits in the game and they were led by Trammell, who went 1-4 with two RBIs. Blanco allowed five hits and three earned runs over 4.2 innings, while Okert got the win and Hader picked up the save. Prior to this series, Houston swept the Angels in three games and won two out of three against the White Sox.
This season, Houston has a 4.66 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP and a .240 opponent batting average, while they have scored 521 runs with a .244 batting average and a .319 on base percentage. Yordan Alvarez has led the Astros with 35 home runs and 82 RBIs, while Christian Walker has added 22 home runs and 64 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Houston is Peter Lambert, who is 8-5 with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP over 103.0 innings pitched this season.
Texas Rangers Betting Preview
The Texas Rangers are 55-56 this year after they lost game two by a score of 4-5 last night. Texas cut the deficit to 5-4 in the sixth inning, but couldn’t find anymore offense in the loss. The Rangers recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Diaz, who went 1-3 with one home run and two RBIs. deGrom allowed seven hits and five earned runs over 4.1 innings for the loss, while Alexander threw two innings in relief. Prior to this series, Texas lost two out of three against the Rays, but did win three out of four against the Mariners before that.
This season, Texas has a 4.32 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP and a .247 opponent batting average, while they have scored 462 runs with a .245 batting average and a .318 on base percentage. Jake Burger has led the Rangers with 19 home runs and 66 RBIs, while Ezequiel Duran has added 12 home runs and 57 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Texas is Kumar Rocker, who is 4-8 with a 4.03 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP over 102.2 innings pitched this year.
Why the Houston Astros will win
- The Astros have won 10 of their last 11 games.
- The Rangers have lost nine of their last 10 road games against AL West opponents.
- The Astros have covered the run line in seven of their last eight home games against the Rangers.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games against the Astros following a road loss.
- The Rangers have trailed after 3 innings in eight of their last nine road games.
- The Rangers have lost the first inning in three of their last four games at Daikin Park against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rangers have trailed after 5 innings in seven of their last eight games at Daikin Park.
Why the Texas Rangers will win
- The Rangers have won four of their last five games as underdogs against AL West opponents.
- The Astros have lost seven of their last eight day games against AL West opponents.
- The Astros have failed to cover the run line each of their last four home games against teams that held a losing record.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in six of the last seven games between the Rangers and Astros.
- The Astros have trailed after 3 innings in six of their last seven games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
- The Rangers have won the first inning in four of their last five games as underdogs against AL West opponents.
- The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last eight Sunday games against opponents that held a losing record.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Rangers’ last 12 games against AL West opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Seven of the Astros’ last eight games against AL West opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in nine of Kumar Rocker’s last 10 appearances as a starter.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the last five day games between the Rangers and Astros.
Houston Astros Player Prop Facts
- Peter Lambert has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances in day games.
- Jeremy Pena has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 14 appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Peter Lambert has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances against AL opponents.
- Yainer Diaz has hit a home run in four of his last five appearances with the Astros as favorites against AL opponents.
Texas Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Jake Burger has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances in day games against AL West teams that held a winning record.
- Kumar Rocker has recorded five or more strikeouts in five of his last six appearances.
- Jake Burger has hit a home run in four of his last five appearances with the Rangers as underdogs against AL West opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Astros rank 30th in the league for walks allowed this season (473).
- The Astros rank 29th in the league for steals this season (37).
- The Rangers rank 4th in the league for walks allowed this season (313).
- The Rangers rank 25th in the league for runs scored this season (458).
Astros vs Rangers Prediction
Houston comes into this matchup on a lengthy winning streak and they have scored 32 runs in their last five games. The Astros are 28-27 at home this year, while the Rangers are 27-31 on the road. Texas has lost four games in a row and they have scored a total of eight runs in those four losses. The Rangers are starting Rocker, who has allowed 2, 0, 7, and 3 earned runs in his last four outings, while Lambert has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five straight starts. This should be another great game, but give me the Astros to win again.