The second game of a three-game series between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros will take place on Wednesday night in Houston. With a 48-61 record and a 2-6 record in August, the Rangers are no longer in the American League playoff picture. The Astros, on the other hand, have amassed a comfortable lead in the American League West Division with a 71-40 record and a 22-13 record since July.
The Texas Rangers (+145) and Houston Astros (-175) square off at Minute Maid Park for Game Two, and the Astros will be the betting favorites on the run line at -1.5 (-145), while the Rangers will be +1.5 (+125 run line underdogs. The game’s O/U is set at 8.0 runs between the Rangers and Astros.
Rangers Continue to Struggle, Drop Game One
The Rangers have struggled offensively despite adding Corey Seager and Marcus Semien to the middle of the infield. As a team, they are hitting just .239, which is the 21st-lowest average in MLB. Additionally, Texas is sixth in home runs but is also 25th in on-base percentage (.301).
Unless there is a late and unforeseen hot streak, Texas is now third in the AL West and on its way to a sixth consecutive losing season. Despite a loss last night, Corey Seager cranked his 25th homer of the season, and Marcus Semien collected his 16th homer.
The Rangers will deploy Glenn Otto for their next game, and Otto has given up 48 runs in 78 innings pitched this year. In addition, Otto’s opponents are consistently scoring runs against him thanks to solid contact off the bat 3ith a 5.31 ERA.
Astros Showcase Lethal Lineup
Tuesday saw the Astros comfortably retaining an 11.5-game lead over the Mariners for the division’s top spot. They trailed the Yankees by one game for the American League’s best record and home-field advantage in the postseason.
With 4.49 runs scored per game, the Astros rank 14th in MLB, slightly behind Texas. The Astros are notable for their power, ranking third in the league in home runs per game (1.41) and 16th in team batting average (.241). With a.407 on-base percentage, .300 batting average, 30 home runs, 73 RBI, and a 4.8 WAR, Yordan Alvarez is the team’s leading hitter.
With only 33 runs allowed in 130 innings pitched and 127 strikeouts, Houston’s Ace Justin Verlander is having one of the best MLB seasons among starters. Furthermore, Verlander’s opponents are making little to no contact, and he has been cruising with a 1.73 ERA, including allowing three runs in his last six starts.
Free Betting Pick
The Rangers‘ 1-3-1 record in their previous five post-All-Star Break series has further demonstrated that there are more issues than not on this squad going ahead. They got out to an early lead, but their bullpen gave it up to a tough Houston lineup.
Only a few teams in the majors are as dangerous a threat as the Houston Astros of 2022 when it comes to the overall makeup of a team’s squad. This lineup undoubtedly has the pieces to contend for another World Series, and with Verlander on the hill, virtually no team has a chance.
Free Pick: Astros -1.5 (-145)
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