The Houston Astros look to lock up a series win Saturday when they host the Texas Rangers for Game 2 of their weekend tilt.
Houston has won just four of its first 15 games, but Ronel Blanco is responsible for two of those victories. He’ll square off with Andrew Heaney, taking the mound for the Rangers after Friday’s 12-8 defeat.
My Rangers vs. Astros predictions and MLB picks and explain why you won’t need to wait long for profit from this matchup.
Rangers vs Astros prediction
My best bet
Astros -0.5 first five innings (-106 at FanDuel)
My analysis
It’s been a bad start this season for the Houston Astros. 11 defeats in the first 15 games of the season sees them sitting bottom of the AL West, already 4.5 games back of the Texas Rangers.
But Ronel Blanco’s done his part and then some. After starting off the season with a no-hitter in just the eighth start of his career, he followed it up with a one-hit performance against the very Texas team he’ll go up against on Saturday. Adolis Garcia broke up his bid for consecutive no-nos with a single in the sixth inning.
That was one of the few moments of success Garcia has found against Blanco, with five strikeouts in their nine duels. Jonah Heim’s been a bit of a victim as well. While he’s hit a bomb off Blanco, it’s the only hit in their five meetings.
In fact, current Rangers are hitting just .191 in their 47 career at-bats against Blanco. And the metrics back up his hot start, with a hard-hit rate of just 20% and an xBA of .111 this season.
His opposing pitcher has had a rough start, and won’t be fond of facing a Houston lineup that’s already beaten him up this season. Andrew Heaney’s last outing saw him exit before the end of the fourth inning, having already surrendered six earned runs off four hits, despite being spotted a five-run first inning lead. His three walks were a big problem as he struggled with location.
Heaney’s had a nightmare against the bigger right-handed bats in the Houston lineup. Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman are both hitting .317 or better in their careers against the lefty, while Jose Abreu’s homered in four of their 21 meetings.
In his two starts, Heaney has failed to get through five innings and has a WHIP of 1.50 through just 8 ⅓ IP. I anticipate another rough outing, and with how Blanco’s playing that means Houston should be clear of the Rangers come the end of the fifth.
FanDuel’s price of -106 for Houston -0.5 runs through five is a bit of an outlier, with -115 the best line currently being offered elsewhere. Take advantage while you can.
Rangers vs Astros same-game parlay (SGP)
Astros -0.5 run line F5
Astros -1.5 run line
Yordan Alvarez 2+ total bases
Not only will Blanco set the Astros up to be ahead through five, I anticipate him giving them enough to win by multiple runs. Heaney will get hit around once again, giving the Astros more wiggle room than they had in the 3-1 win during his first start.
Yordan Alvarez is hitting .310 so far in the young season, and has four multi-hit games in his last nine starts. Two of his four HRs on the season have come against the Rangers, and in just 17 ABs vs Heaney, he’s got seven hits, including two for extra bases. Take him to get two or more here.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Rangers vs Astros odds
Rangers vs Astros live odds
Rangers vs Astros opening odds
- Run line: Texas +1.5 (-155) | Houston -1.5 (+125)
- Moneyline: Texas +125 | Houston -155
- Over/Under: Over 9.5 (-115) | Under 9.5 (-115)
Rangers vs Astros spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Astros are -142 on the moneyline, but the run line of -1.5 can get you as much as +136.
- The favorite is 2-6 SU in the last six meetings between these teams.
- The total of 9.5 has the under slightly favored, and has come up slightly after opening at 9.
- The two teams have combined for 10+ runs in seven of their last 10 meetings.
Rangers vs Astros trend
The Over is 7-2-1 in the last 10 meetings between these teams. Find more MLB betting trends for Rangers vs. Astros
Rangers vs Astros game info
| Location: | Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX |
| Date: | Saturday, 4-13-2024 |
| First pitch: | 4:05 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FS1 |
| Rangers starting pitcher: | Andrew Heaney (0-2, 7.56 ERA) |
| Astros starting pitcher: | Ronel Blanco (2-0, 0.00 ERA) |
Rangers vs Astros latest injuries
Rangers vs Astros weather
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