The Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros meet Sunday in MLB action from Daikin 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 Nathan Eovaldi here and Eovaldi is 4-4 with a 4.15 ERA and 47 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against the Astros, Eovaldi is 1-2 with a 3.58 ERA and 24 strikeouts. Peter Lambert will start here for the Astros and is 2-3 with a 2.76 ERA and 29 strikeouts this season. This will be Lambert’s first career start against the Astros.
Texas Rangers Recap
The Texas Rangers come into this game looking to bounce back from their 4-1 loss at the hands of the Houston Astros last time out to sit at 21-24 this season. After this series, the Rangers will head on the road for a series against the Colorado Rockies.
Rangers Drop Back-To-Back Games
Brandon Nimmo has 45 hits with 7 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs and 12 RBIs while Jake Burger has 37 hits with 5 doubles, 7 home runs and 27 RBIs. Corey Seager has 28 hits with 6 doubles, 7 home runs and 20 RBIs while Wyatt Langford has 19 hits with 3 doubles, 2 triples, a home run and 4 RBIs. Evan Carter also has 23 hits with 5 doubles, 5 home runs and 13 RBIs while Josh Jung has 49 hits with 13 doubles, 5 home runs and 20 RBIs as well on the year.
Houston Astros Recap
The Houston Astros come into this game looking to add on to their win over the Rangers from Friday to improve to 18-28 on the year. After this series, the Astros will head on the road for a series against the Minnesota Twins.
Astros Pick Up Back-To-Back Ws
Yordan Alvarez has 55 hits with 11 doubles, 15 home runs and 31 RBIs while Christian Walker has 45 hits with 10 doubles, 11 home runs and 30 RBIs on the year. Jose Altuve’s chipped in 40 hits with 10 doubles, 4 home runs and 12 RBIs and Carlos Correa has 34 hits with 8 doubles, 3 home runs and 16 RBIs. Cam Smith also has 30 hits with 6 doubles, 4 home runs and 17 RBIs. Yainer Diaz also has 24 hits with 5 doubles, 2 home runs and 14 RBIs.
Texas Rangers @ Houston Astros Betting Trends: May 17, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Peter Lambert Record this season: 2-3 ERA: 2.76
- Home Record: 1-2
- Last 5 against Rangers: 0-0
Why the Houston Astros will win
- The Astros have won each of their last five games as underdogs against the Rangers.
- The Rangers have lost four of their last five games as favorites against AL West opponents.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine games as favorites against the Astros following a road loss.
- The Astros have covered the run line in 12 of their last 13 games as underdogs against the Rangers.
- The Rangers have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last seven games against AL West opponents.
- The Astros have won the first inning in four of their last five games against the Rangers.
- The Rangers have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last seven games against AL West opponents.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Nathan Eovaldi Record this season: 4-4 ERA: 4.15
- Road Record: 2-3
- Last 5 against Astros: 2-1
Why the Texas Rangers will win
- The Astros have lost each of their last four day games against AL West opponents.
- The Rangers have won six of their last seven day games against AL West opponents following a loss.
- The Astros have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four day games against AL West opponents.
- The Rangers have covered the run line in six of their last seven day games against AL West opponents following a loss.
- The Astros have lost the first inning in each of their last three day games against AL West opponents.
- The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in seven of their last eight day games against opponents that held a losing record.
- The Astros have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three day games against AL West opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Rangers’ last four games against AL West opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Five of the Astros’ last six day games against AL West opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 11 of the Rangers’ last 13 road games against AL West opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the last six day games between the Rangers and Astros at Daikin Park.
Houston Astros Player Prop Facts
- Jose Altuve has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances against the Rangers.
- Jose Altuve has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 appearances with the Astros as home underdogs against the Rangers.
- Yordan Alvarez ranks 1st amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.429) this season.
Texas Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Josh Jung has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances in day games against AL West teams that held a losing record.
- Nathan Eovaldi has recorded a win in seven of his last eight appearances with the Rangers as road favorites.
- Nathan Eovaldi has recorded six or more strikeouts in seven of his last nine appearances in day games.
- Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 Sunday appearances against teams that held a losing record.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Astros rank 30th in the league for ERA this season (5.37).
- The Astros rank 30th in the league for walks allowed this season (240).
- The Rangers rank 29th in the league for runs scored this season (163).
- The Rangers rank 29th in the league for hits this season (336).
Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros Prediction
I’m on the under in this one. I just think this game features two inconsistent offenses and if you need proof, look at the Rangers who have scored 1 run in the first two games of the series while the Astros have still yet to really break out and have scored 3 runs per game in the first two. I think this is another first to 3 or 4 wins kind of game if we even get there so give me the under.