The Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros meet Tuesday in MLB action from Minute Maid Park. This will be the second installment in a three-game series this week. In the Monday opener, Houston bagged a walk-off comeback victory in a wild matchup. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Texas Rangers 

The Rangers took on the Dodgers over the weekend, but could only win one of the three games. In the Monday matchup versus the Astros, Texas was ahead for most of the game but ended up losing 10-9. Josh Jung posted a homer with two hits, two RBI and two runs. Nathaniel Lowe added two walks and two runs. 

It’s looking like it’ll be Cody Bradford in the starting role for the Rangers on Tuesday. Over his 10 games (five starts) this year Bradford is 2-1 with a 4.78 ERA and 29 Ks in 32.0 innings. Bradford last pitched July 21 versus the Dodgers with 1.1 innings and one earned on one hit.  

Houston Astros 

Over on the Astros’ side, they took on the A’s in a four-game series over the weekend. Houston managed to win that series with three victories in four games. On Monday versus Texas, the Astros got a homer, two hits and a whopping six RBI from Chas McCormick. Yainer Diaz bagged two RBI as well in the win. 

JP France will be making the start for the Astros on Tuesday. Across his 13 starts so far France is 5-3 with a 3.13 ERA and 55 Ks in 77.2 frames. France is coming off one earned in 7.0 innings during a win over the A’s on July 20. 

Houston Astros Team Facts

• The Astros have won each of their last six night games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
• The Astros have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four night games against the Rangers at Minute Maid Park following a home win.
• The Astros have led after 5 innings in each of their last five Tuesday home games.
• The Astros have won the first inning in each of their last five home games against opponents that held a winning record.
• The Astros have led after 7 innings in each of their last five Tuesday home games.

Texas Rangers Team Facts

• The Rangers have lost 28 of their last 32 games at Minute Maid Park against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
• The Rangers have covered the run line in each of their last seven night games against the Astros following a road loss.
• The Rangers have led after 3 innings in each of their last three games against American League opponents.
• The Rangers have led after 5 innings in each of their last six Tuesday games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last five road games against American League opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Houston Astros ranks T29th in the league for triples this season (7).
• The Houston Astros ranks 3rd in the league for ERA this season (3.74).
• The Texas Rangers ranks 1st in the league for hits this season (962).
• The Texas Rangers ranks 1st in the league for RBI’s this season (565).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m probably going with the Astros here. France has just six earned runs over his last three games in a combined 17.1 innings on 21 hits and two walks. If France can keep that up the Houston offense has a great opportunity to finish off the game here. On Monday the Astros’ bats started out hot and were able to eke out the victory in a wild, high-scoring matchup. Houston had three runs or fewer in three of four games coming into this series. The offensive spark is a welcome sign for the Astros, and I think the’ll keep it going in game two.