Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros Picks and Predictions August 7th 2024

With time dwindling, Rangers go for series win over Astros

Wednesday’s Astros vs. Rangers game has a first pitch set for 2:35 PM ET from Globe Life Field in Arlington. Houston is 2nd in the AL West with a record of 58-55, while the Rangers are 3rd in the division at 54-60. José Ureña is starting for the Rangers, and the Astros are sending Yusei Kikuchi to the mound.

The over/under line for this game is currently 9 runs, and the Astros are favored on the money line, with their odds sitting at -120 compared to the Rangers at +100. This game can be seen on MLBN.

Houston vs. Texas Key Information

• Teams: Astros at Rangers
• Where: Globe Life Field Arlington
• Date: Wednesday, August 7th
• Betting Odds HOU -120 | TEX +100 O/U 9

The Astros Can Win If…

Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi gets the start for the Astros today as he faces the Rangers on the road. Kikuchi has made 23 starts this season and has a record of 4-9 with an ERA of 4.67. In his last outing, he finished with a no-decision, giving up two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings of work. Looking back further, Kikuchi has finished with a no-decision in three straight outings. He has allowed at least two earned runs in each of his last four starts. Kikuchi’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.33.

Yordan Alvarez has been one of the top power hitters in the league this season, as his 21 homers are the best mark on the Astros and 10th best in the MLB. Alvarez is also batting .300 for the season and is 2nd on the team with 57 RBIs. Catcher Yainer Diaz is batting .296 and is the team’s current leader in RBIs with 59. Diaz has also been hot of late, going 11/26 in his last seven games.

Both Alex Bregman and Jon Singleton are looking to get back on track, as they have both gone 4/20 in their last seven games. For Bregman, this has dropped his season average to .200. Kyle Tucker is on a three-game hitting streak but is also looking to get back on track, as he is batting just .200 in his last seven games.

• The Astros are 4-6 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Astros are 1-4 vs. the run line.
• Houston has an over/under record of 3-7 in their last ten games.
• The Astros have an average of 2.2 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Astros are 4-6
• Looking back across the Astros last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• Houston has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Astros have averaged 3.3 runs per game on offense

The Rangers Can Win If…

José Ureña gets the start for the Rangers today and will be looking to bounce back from a rough outing vs. the Red Sox, where he gave up seven earned runs in four innings of work. In that game, he gave up two homers. Ureña’s record for the season is 3-6, and he has an ERA of 3.70. Looking at his home/away splits, Ureña has an ERA of 9.1 on the road compared to 2.12 at home. Overall, he has allowed 10 homers at home and 10 on the road. Ureña has made 26 appearances this season and has three quality starts.

Corey Seager has been on a tear for the Rangers, going 12/37 in his last nine games with five homers and eight RBIs. Seager is batting .277 for the season and is currently 7th in the league with 24 homers. Adolis Garcia has also been a big power threat for the Rangers, but he is batting just .207 for the season.

Overall, the Rangers are averaging 4.2 runs per game, which is 18th in the MLB. As a team, they are batting just .237 and have the league’s 13th ranked home run total. Texas is near the bottom of the league in OPS and SLG.

• The Rangers are 3-7 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Rangers are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Texas has an over/under record of 8-2 in their last ten games.
• The Rangers have an average of 4.2 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Rangers are 3-7
• Looking back across the Rangers last five games as the favorite, they are 1-4
• Texas has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Rangers have averaged 3.0 runs per game on offense

The Lean

For a money-line pick in this Astros vs. Rangers matchup, we are leaning toward the Rangers to come out on top at home. We also like the over, as this is projected to be the 2nd highest-scoring game of the day, and this one has our 6th highest total home run projection. Astros starter Yusei Kikuchi is 19th in our projections in strikeouts, and on the other side, José Ureña is 2nd among today’s starters in innings pitched projection.

The Texas Rangers are facing a critical juncture in their season as they prepare to close a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas. With the Rangers currently third in the American League West and five games out of first place, their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. Meanwhile, the Astros are positioned just half a game behind the Seattle Mariners in a tight race for the division lead.

Rangers’ Struggles and Recent Performance

The Rangers have been on a downward slide, losing eight of their last eleven games. This slump has put them 8 1/2 games behind in the race for the final wild-card spot, a deficit that is becoming increasingly difficult to overcome as the season progresses. Despite a promising start to the year, the team is struggling to find the consistency needed to mount a serious playoff challenge.

In their most recent outing, the Rangers fell 4-2 to the Astros, managing just one hit throughout the game. Corey Seager was the lone bright spot, breaking Framber Valdez’s no-hit bid with a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning. Seager’s performance has been a highlight for the Rangers, with his 24th home run marking his fifth in the last five games. However, his teammates have not been able to match his offensive output, which was evident against Valdez’s dominant pitching.

Seager’s Stellar Form

Corey Seager has been the centerpiece of the Rangers’ offense recently. His ability to deliver under pressure was showcased with his late-game home run against Houston, bringing his season total to 24. Seager has been on a tear, hitting five home runs in as many games, but his solo efforts have not been enough to propel the Rangers to victory.

“You’re aware of it all game that you haven’t got a hit yet,” Seager said after the game. “Everybody’s going up there to try to do it. Just fortunate enough it happened.”

Astros Capitalize on Opportunities

The Houston Astros have also faced their share of challenges but managed to break a three-game losing streak with their victory over Texas. Framber Valdez was the star of the show, delivering an outstanding performance with a near no-hitter. Valdez walked Josh Smith with two outs in the ninth before Seager’s homer ended his no-hit bid. Despite this, Valdez’s performance underscored his value to the Astros’ pitching staff.

“I try to always go out there trying to have fun,” Valdez said through an interpreter. “Obviously, sometimes I have got to get serious. Went out there and do what I try to do every single time, try and throw strikes on all my pitches and just try to help the team win.”

Yordan Alvarez contributed significantly with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning, giving the Astros a comfortable four-run lead. Jake Meyers also added two run-scoring singles, highlighting the depth and resilience of the Astros’ lineup.

Upcoming Pitching Matchups

The series finale will see left-hander Yusei Kikuchi take the mound for the Astros. Kikuchi, who was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays at the trade deadline, will make his second start for Houston. In his debut, he struck out 11 batters in 5 2/3 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays, showcasing his ability to dominate opposing lineups.

Kikuchi’s previous experience against the Rangers could prove pivotal. In his last start against Texas while with Toronto, he allowed five runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings. His overall record against the Rangers is 3-1 with a 5.64 ERA in seven career outings, indicating both challenges and opportunities.

On the other side, right-hander Jose Urena will start for the Rangers. Urena has had a rocky season, particularly against Houston. His last appearance against the Astros resulted in a loss where he gave up five runs on six hits in just 1 1/3 innings. Overall, Urena has struggled with a 9.82 ERA in four appearances against the Astros this season.

Rangers’ Challenges and Keys to Success

The Rangers face several challenges as they attempt to salvage their season. Their offense has been inconsistent, often relying too heavily on individual performances rather than a cohesive team effort. While Seager has been a standout performer, the lack of support from the rest of the lineup has been a persistent issue.

Pitching is another area of concern. Jose Urena’s difficulties against the Astros underscore the need for the Rangers to tighten up their pitching staff. Urena’s inability to contain Houston’s hitters, particularly stars like Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman, could be a deciding factor in the upcoming game.

To turn their fortunes around, the Rangers must focus on:

• Offensive Cohesion: Finding ways to support Seager’s efforts and generate runs consistently.
• Pitching Improvements: Shoring up their pitching rotation to prevent big innings against strong opponents like Houston.
• Strategic Adjustments: Implementing effective game plans to exploit opponents’ weaknesses.

Astros’ Strengths and Competitive Edge

The Astros have proven themselves as formidable opponents, with a strong pitching rotation and a lineup capable of delivering in crucial moments. Framber Valdez’s near no-hitter performance exemplifies Houston’s pitching prowess, and his ability to suppress the Rangers’ offense gives the Astros a significant advantage.

Offensively, the Astros benefit from a deep lineup. Yordan Alvarez’s power and Jake Meyers’ timely hitting provide the team with the ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. This depth and versatility make the Astros a constant threat in tight games.

Implications for the AL West

As the Rangers and Astros face off in this critical series finale, the stakes are high for both teams. The Rangers are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, while the Astros are looking to gain ground in the division race. With only a half-game separating Houston from the first-place Mariners, every game carries significant weight in the standings.

For the Rangers, a loss would further dampen their playoff aspirations, potentially placing them out of reach of a wild-card spot. Conversely, a win could provide much-needed momentum as they attempt to close the gap in the standings.

Conclusion: The Path Ahead

The Texas Rangers face a pivotal moment in their season as they take on the Houston Astros in the series finale. With their playoff hopes dwindling, the Rangers must find a way to overcome their recent struggles and secure a victory. Key performances from players like Corey Seager will be essential, but the team must also improve its pitching and overall cohesion to compete effectively.

The Houston Astros, on the other hand, are poised to continue their pursuit of the AL West title. With strong contributions from their pitching staff and a deep lineup, the Astros have the tools needed to remain competitive and potentially overtake the division lead.

As both teams vie for success in the final stretch of the season, the outcome of this series could have significant implications for the AL West standings and the broader playoff picture.

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