Houston Astros vs Texas Rangers Prediction, Pick and Preview, April 26 (4/26): MLB

Credit: photo by Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

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Preview

The Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers will play the 2nd game of the series at the Globe Life Field on Tuesday night. The Rangers got the win in the first of the series 6-2. Marcus Semien and Seager, the two big offseason additions, had RBI singles in the decisive seventh inning, last season's top rookie Adolis Garcia had a bases-clearing double in the eighth to win the game.

Houston Astros

The Astros get here with a 7-9 record and have lost 5 of their last 6 games. They continue to struggle offensively and are averaging .211 at bat scoring 3.50 runs per game while allowing 4.25 runs. Alex Bregman has 3 home runs 12 RBI. Michael Brantley is batting for .311 avg and Yordan Alvarez has 4 home runs.

Framber Valdez allowed only an unearned run over six innings, striking out five, walking two and hitting a batter. The lefty departed after throwing 60 of his 97 pitches for strikes.

Probable Pitcher: 

Jake Odorizzi (0-2, 9.00 ERA) will take the mound in the 2nd game of the series for the Astros. Odorizzi took the loss Wednesday, surrendering six runs (three earned) on two hits and four walks over two-thirds of an inning as the Astros fell 6-0 to the Angels. He struck out two. In his last 3 starts against the Rangers he has a 4.09 ERA and 12 strikeouts across 11 innings pitched.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers get here with a 6-10 record but they have won 4 of their last 5 games. The team is averaging 4.81 runs per game with a .234 at bat while allowing 5 runs. Nathaniel Lowe is batting for .381. Adolis Garcia has 2 home runs and 10 RBI.

Dane Dunning struck out five and allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings in the first game of the series against the Astros.

Probable Pitcher:

Taylor Hearn (0-1, 7.59 ERA) will be on the mound for the Rangers in the 2nd game of the series. Hearn completed three innings against Seattle on Thursday, allowing five runs on four hits and four walks while striking out four. He did not factor in the decision. In his last 2 games against the Astros he has a 1.95 ERA and 9 strikeouts across 9.2 innings pitched.

BETTING TRENDS

Houston are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games.

Houston are 10-3 SU in their last 13 games against Texas.

Texas are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.

Texas are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games at home.

Prediction

The Astros continue to struggle offensively and it's hard to trust them right now but they'll be facing Taylor Hearn who's coming from allow 5 runs in 3 innings. The Rangers are one of the top offenses in the league so far averaging almost 5 runs per game and with Odorizzi on the mound for the Astros I think we will see many runs on this game. Take the over.

PICK: Over 9 (-110)

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