Astros vs Rangers MLB Betting Online and Analysis

A rematch of the 2023 American League Championship Series highlights Friday’s MLB action as the Houston Astros visit the Texas Rangers, who won that ALCS in seven games on the way to their first World Series title

MLB Expert Analysis Houston vs Texas | MyBookie Sportsbook MLB Week 1 2024 Season

How to Bet Astros at Rangers MLB Odds & TV Info

When: Friday, 8:05 PM ET
Where: Globe Life Field
Probable pitchers (away/home): Hunter Brown/Cody Bradford
TV: None national
Stream/gameday audio: Apple TV+

Astros vs Rangers Last Meeting

The last time we saw these bitter rivals face one another was Game 7 of the 2023 ALCS in Houston. Adolis Garcia homered twice and drove in five runs for the Rangers in their 11-4 win to advance to the Fall Classic. Garcia had four hits, scored three times and was the obvious choice for ALCS MVP. Corey Seager got the Rangers started with a long homer in a three-run first inning. The road team won every game of that series, which is almost impossible to believe.

Why Bet on Houston Astros?

The Astros were stunningly swept four games at home to open the season against the Yankees but bounced back to start this week by taking two of three at home vs. Toronto. On Monday, Ronel Blanco threw a shocking no-hitter. On Tuesday, the Astros were up 1-0 in the ninth but star closer Josh Hader, the team’s big offseason acquisition, gave up a two-out, two-run homer in the top of the ninth and Houston lost.

“It was a matter of time,” manager Joe Espada said. “Anytime he can put some good swings like that and hit some balls hard and it’s a good sign and that’s exactly what we needed.”

Shortstop Jeremy Pena knocked an RBI single in the fifth inning, then went deep with a two-run blast in the seventh. The homer was his second in the past three games and he has six RBI over that stretch. Pena has four multi-hit games on the campaign and is slashing .400/.444/.680 through 27 plate appearances. Jose Altuve had a solo homer in the win. He now has three homers on the season, all of which have come in his last four games. Altuve has also begun the new campaign with a seven-game hitting streak, including three multi-hit performances.

Second-year right-hander Hunter Brown (0-0, 1.50) takes the mound Friday. Brown took a no-decision last Saturday, permitting one unearned run over four innings against the Yankees. The only damage managed against Brown came when they scored on a Jose Abreu fielding error. They made him work, though, as Brown wasn’t able to go beyond four innings because he threw 88 pitches. The right-hander fanned five batters on the day.

In his career against Texas, Brown is 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA (3ER/17IP) with 16 strikeouts and just 2 walks in 3 career games. That 1.59 ERA vs. the Rangers since his debut in ‘22 is the 3rd-lowest among MLB pitchers during that span (minimum 17 innings pitched).

This is Houston’s first road game and the team’s 51-30 (.630) road record in 2023 was the second-best in the majors. In addition, the Astros were 5-0 on the road in the playoffs, including three wins at Texas in the ALCS. They have won eight straight games at Globe Life Field dating to the 2023 regular season.

Bet Astros to Win
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Why Bet on Texas Rangers?

Texas (4-2) has won both of its series so far and took the rubber match at the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, 4-1. Corey Seager broke a scoreless tie with a leadoff homer in the sixth off Aaron Civale and Josh Smith added a two-run single during a three-run ninth against Garrett Cleavinger.

Scuffling Rangers closer Jose Leclerc gave up an RBI single to Harold Ramírez in the ninth. After José Caballero hit a flyout to the warning track with two on, Curtis Mead. hit a game-ending comebacker. Leclerc has a 20.25 ERA in three appearances, allowing six earned runs over 2 2/3 innings. Setup man David Robertson pitched a scoreless inning Wednesday and has been sharp to start the season, allowing just three hits and three walks over four scoreless appearances. He might take the closer job from Leclerc as Robertson has plenty of ninth-inning experience.

AL Rookie of the Year favorite Wyatt Langford, who opened the season with a five-game hit streak, experienced his first hitless game as a major leaguer Wednesday. He is 6-for-25 with two walks, a triple, three RBI and a run scored to start his MLB career.

The Rangers got some bad news earlier this week when All-Star third baseman Josh Jung was hit on the wrist during Monday’s game vs. the Rays. It turned out to be a fractured wrist that required surgery and he will miss 8-10 weeks.

Left-hander Cody Bradford (1-0, 3.60) gets the start Friday. Bradford earned a victory Saturday versus the Cubs, permitting two runs on three hits and a walk over five frames. He struck out six. Bradford left a fastball up in the second inning to Dansby Swanson, who deposited it over the left-field wall for a two-run homer. That wound up being the only damage as Bradford needed just 76 pitches to cruise through his five frames. He is expected to lose his spot in the Rangers’ rotation once Michael Lorenzen (neck) is deemed ready to return.

Bet Rangers to Win
MLB Daily Lines