The Texas Rangers (17-20) and Houston Astros (25-14) meet at Minute Maid Park Friday for the second contest of a 4-game series. First pitch is slated for 8:10 p.m. ET.
Season series: Houston leads 4-1. The Astros have taken 6 of the last 7 meetings with the Rangers since Sept. 15 last season.
The Rangers had won 4 games straight before they dropped Thursday’s series opener 5-1.
The Astros are 7-3 over their last 10 games. Houston pitching has piled up 6 shutouts in May, and overall has a 2.96 ERA, good for 3rd in MLB.
Rangers at Astros projected starters
LHP Martin Perez vs. RHP Cristian Javier
Perez (2-2, 2.01 ERA) is tabbed for his 8th start of the season. He has a 1.02 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 through 40 1/3 IP.
- Owns a 2.56 ERA over his last 5 starts against the Astros despite a clunker vs. Houston last June.
- Has not allowed a run in 13 road innings this season.
Javier (2-1, 3.20 ERA) has registered a 1.11 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 10.7 K/9 through 25 1/3 IP across 3 starts and 4 relief appearances.
- Allowed 11 base runners and 7 runs over 3 2/3 IP Saturday at the Washington Nationals in his last start.
- Owns a 2.42 ERA across 100 1/3 IP at home since 2020.
Rangers at Astros odds and lines
- Money line: Rangers +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Astros -170 (bet $170 to win $100)
- Run line (RL): Rangers +1.5 (-150) | Astros -1.5 (+122)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
Rangers at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 5, Rangers 3
Money line
PASS. A Houston lean gets rewarded more with less juice on the run line.
Run line/Against the spread
Mostly on some fade-Perez lean BACK HOUSTON -1.5 (+122).
The Astros are 10-4 at home and they’re 10-5 in games decided by 5 runs or more.
Over/Under
Houston struggles against lefty pitching, and both bullpens are in decent shape BACK THE UNDER 8.5 (-107).
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