The Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers meet Monday in MLB action from Globe Life Field. Here’s an Astros vs Rangers prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game. We will examine:
- The Houston Astros recent form and player performance
- The Texas Rangers recent form and player performance
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Houston Astros
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Texas Rangers
- Recent betting trends in games played between the Astros and Rangers
- A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Astros vs Rangers game
Houston Astros Betting Preview
Following a series win over the Toronto Blue Jays last week, the Astros lost the first two games of this weekend set 10-2 and 7-2. On Sunday in game three Houston powered out a 3-1 win on just four team hits, notching all their runs in the third inning. Yordan Alvarez contributed all of the RBI with a homer, and starter Ronel Blanco put up 6.0 clean frames.
In the starting pitcher slot for the Monday matchup, the Astros will go with Framber Valdez. Over two starts this year so far Valdez has a 2.19 ERA and 10 Ks in 12.1 innings without a decision. Valdez is 53-34 with a 3.38 ERA in 131 games (109 starts) over his career.
Texas Rangers Betting Preview
Over on the Rangers’ side, they were able to win two of three versus the Tampa Bay Rays last week before their two victories over the Astros. On Sunday Texas could only muster a pair of hits from Adolis Garcia (run) and Justin Foscue (RBI). Dane Dunning gave up all three earned in 6.2 innings on four hits and three walks.
It’ll be Andrew Heaney in the starting pitcher role for the Rangers on Monday. In his lone start so far this year Heaney went 4.2 innings with one earned during a loss. Over his career Heaney is 46-49 with a 4.47 ERA in 172 games (155 starts).
Texas Rangers Team Facts
- The Rangers have won each of their last five games as underdogs following a loss.
- The Rangers have covered the run line in each of their last seven games as underdogs against the Astros following a loss.
- The Rangers have won the first inning in each of their last three Monday games as underdogs.
- The Rangers have led after 5 innings in five of their last six games as underdogs against AL West opponents.
- The Rangers have led after 3 innings in four of their last six games as underdogs against AL West opponents.
Houston Astros Team Facts
- The Astros have lost each of their last six games as favorites against AL West opponents following a win.
- The Astros have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine games as favorites against the Rangers following a win.
- The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six games as favorites against AL West opponents.
- The Astros have trailed after 3 innings in 11 of their last 14 games as favorites against AL West opponents.
- The Astros have trailed after 7 innings in five of their last six games as favorites against AL West opponents.
Astros vs Rangers Prediction
I’ll lean toward the Astros in this one. We should have a pretty good starter matchup regardless, though. Valdez gave up three earned in 4.2 innings during his first start versus the New York Yankees but recovered in his second outing with 7.2 clean frames. As for Heaney, he took something of a tough-luck loss in his first start, which wasn’t too bad.
On Sunday in game three Houston didn’t have the strongest offensive outing, however the pitching was great. Josh Hader stumbled a bit with one hit, one walk and one earned but everyone else did very well. I like the Astros to keep it going in the Monday matchup.