Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros Prediction, Odds & Starting Pitchers

Apr 7, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco (56) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY SportsThe Rangers and Astros continue their three-game series on SaturdayThe latest MLB odds favor the Astros to even the score 1-1Read below for Rangers vs Astros prediction, odds and starting pitchers

The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros continue their three-game weekend series on Saturday, April 13 at Minute Maid Park in Houston. This is the second game of the series after the Rangers took the opener 12-8 on Friday night.

In the Saturday MLB odds, the Astros opened as -155 moneyline favorites with the over/under total set at 9.5 runs. The starting pitchers have also been set, with the impressive Ronel Blanco taking the mound for the home team.

What’s the best bet for Rangers vs Astros? Let’s delve into the odds and make our Saturday MLB prediction.

Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros Odds

In Saturday’s MLB odds, the Astros are -145 home favorite against the Rangers, giving them an implied win probability of 59%.

First pitch for Saturday’s contest is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET with the game broadcast nationally on FS1.

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Rangers Betting Analysis

The Rangers improved to 9-6 on the season with their 12-8 victory over the Astros in the series opener on Friday. Prior to that, Texas had lost four of their previous five games, including getting shut out 1-0 by the Oakland A’s on Thursday despite Jon Gray’s strong outing (5 IP, 1 ER, 9 K)

In the win over Houston, the Rangers pounded out 12 hits, including a three-run homer by Jonah Heim in the third inning that broke the game open early. Adolis Garcia, the 2023 ALCS MVP, went 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs and two walks, continuing to thrive at Minute Maid Park.

It only fuels him. pic.twitter.com/Qc6dFVggZ4

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) April 13, 2024

Overall this season, the Rangers are now averaging 6.20 runs per game (4th in MLB) while hitting .281 as a team (3rd). Bruce Bochy’s team has the sixth-best price in the 2024 World Series odds.

Looking at Texas’ betting trends, the Rangers are 2-4 in their last six games overall. However, they are 5-2 in their last 7 vs the Astros and an impressive 14-1 in their last 15 road games.

Astros Betting Analysis

Friday’s loss dropped the Astros to a dreadful 4-11 start, still sitting in last place in the AL West. Houston has now lost four straight games overall and seven of eight. Their starting pitching continues to be a major issue, with Dane Dunning allowing eight runs over four innings on Friday.

Pror to Friday’s outing, the Astros were swept in a three-game road series by the Royals, getting outscored 28-7. In the finale on Thursday, Houston gave up nine runs in the 1st inning en route to a lopsided 13-3 defeat.

For the season, the Astros’ starting rotation has a 19.29 ERA. The bullpen hasn’t been much better with a 5.40 ERA (28th in MLB). Leading the way is Jose Altuve, who is batting .370 with 11 runs and three home runs, to go with five RBIs.

Offensively, Houston is scoring 4.19 runs per game (18th) with a .266 team average (9th). They did show some fight by scoring five runs in the 7th inning Friday to make it a game before ultimately falling short.

At home, the Astros are just 2-11 in their last 13 games. They’ve dropped six straight games when hosting their Texas rivals at Minute Maid Park.

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MLB Starting Pitchers

LHP Andrew Heaney (0-2, 7.56 ERA) takes the mound for the Rangers. He struggled in his last outing against the Astros on Monday, allowing 6 ER in 3.2 IP. Current Astros have hit .287 against Heaney in his career, led by Alex Bregman (.342 AVG) and Yordan Alvarez (.412 AVG, HR).

The Astros counter with RHP Ronel Blanco (2-0, 0.00 ERA) who has been brilliant in two starts. He threw six shutout innings vs Texas last Sunday, allowing just one hit. Blanco has held current Rangers to a .191 average with Marcus Semien (2-for-7, 2B) having the most success.

Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros Prediction

For the Rangers to win two straight over their rivals, they need a much better outing from Heaney against an Astros lineup that has historically owned him. The lefty must limit damage from the right-handed bats of Altuve, Bregman, Alvarez, and Tucker.

Houston’s path to evening the series starts with another dominant performance from Blanco. If he can shut down the Rangers’ potent offense again, it will take pressure off the scuffling Astros lineup.

While the Rangers took the opener and have been the better team overall, it’s hard to ignore Blanco’s mastery of their lineup last week. Heaney also seems like the more vulnerable starter given his career struggles against Houston.

Our best MLB bet this Saturday is the Astros to bounce back and even the series behind Blanco and some timely hitting.

TEX vs HOU Game 2 Pick:

Astros ML (-145 at BetMGM)

 

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