The Houston Astros (3-7) hope to split their 4-Game series with the Texas Rangers (6-3) Monday night. First pitch from Globe Life Field is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Astros vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rangers lead 2-1
The Astros were victorious over the Rangers 3-1 on Sunday Night Baseball, cashing as short (-104) underdogs. RHP Ronel Blanco earned the win in historic fashion. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Blanco became the 1st pitcher since 1961 to start a season with 44 outs before his 1st hit allowed. DH Yordan Alvarez was the main driver of the offense, clubbing a 3-run home run in the 3rd inning, his 3rd of the season.
The loss for Texas snapped a 4-game winning streak over Houston dating back to last season’s ALCS. RF Adolis Garcia, who leads the Rangers in HRs (4) and RBIs (11), has at least 1 hit in every game played so far except a March 31 loss vs. the Chicago Cubs.
Astros at Rangers projected starters
LHP Framber Valdez vs. LHP Andrew Heaney
Valdez (0-0, 2.19 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.38 WHIP, 4.38 BB/9 and 7.30 K/9 in 12 1/3 innings.
- Led AL in ground ball percentage (54.2%) in 2023; he has generated a 71.9 GB% in 2 starts this season with a league-leading 5 double play groundouts
- Career vs. Texas: 7-5, 2.90 ERA (83 2/3 IP, 27 ER — 5 HR), 36 BB, 89 K in 13 starts
Heaney (0-1, 1.93 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He allowed 3 R (1 ER) on 4 H and 0 BB with 7 K in 4 2/3 IP in his debut at the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday.
- Generated an impressive 30% swinging strike percentage in Tuesday’s loss
- Career vs. Houston: 4-4, 3.35 ERA (80 2/3 IP, 30 ER — 8 HR), 26 BB, 80 K in 15 starts
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Astros at Rangers odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Astros -142 (bet $142 to win $100) | Rangers +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (+116) | Rangers +1.5 (-140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -118 | U: -104)
Astros at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 4, Astros 3
Moneyline
BET RANGERS (+120).
It feels a bit nerve-wracking to back Heaney as a dog over Valdez, but the Rangers’ offense is better, as they enter the week tied with the Cubs for the best team on-base percentage (.363) in the league.
Expect Garcia and SS Corey Seager, who has 3 hits in as many games this series, to deliver for the Rangers vs. an Astros bullpen that sports a 6.89 team ERA, 3rd-worst thus far in all of MLB.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
I would rather take the plus money with Texas outright than lay $1.40 on the run line.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 9 (-104).
The Under has come through in 7 of the last 9 games between these clubs, and the Rangers are 1 of only 3 teams that have yet to hit a HR vs. left-handed pitching.
The Astros have not been much better vs. lefties, as they are 1 of 8 teams entering Monday with a sub-.200 batting average (.198) vs. LHP.
If Heaney can avoid tough-luck moments, both of these starters should be able to pitch effectively; so play on a juicy FIRST HALF TOTAL RUNS UNDER 5.5 (-140) can certainly be considered as well.
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