The Texas Rangers look for a series win over the Houston Astros with a win to wrap up their 4-game set on Sunday.
Texas handled the Astros 5-1 on Saturday, but is a +115 underdog to take three of the four games against its AL West rivals.
My Astros vs. Rangers prediction believes pitching comes to the forefront in what should be a low-scoring game.
Check my best free MLB picks for Sunday, May 18.
Astros vs Rangers prediction
My Astros vs Rangers best bet: Under 8 (-1110 at Caesars)
Despite being the lowest-scoring team in baseball at just 3.11 runs per game, the Texas Rangers are rolling right now, having won seven of their last eight games.
Offense hasn’t been a problem during this fun run, as they’ve averaged 4.86 runs across their seven wins, with five coming by multiple runs.
Pitching continues to be their strong suit, as the Rangers are fourth in team ERA at 3.22, with a WHIP of 1.14 (2nd) and allowing teams to hit just .224 (fifth).
They turn to Jack Leiter in the finale, and the righty is coming off one of his best starts of the season. Leiter went a season-high six innings, allowing just two hits and an earned run while striking out five in a 4-1 win over Colorado.
The Houston Astros have been treading water of late, with just seven wins across their last 16 games.
Offense has been a problem for them all season, as they score the sixth-fewest runs in the majors at 3.54 per game.
It’s been a sore spot in this series, as they have plated just a single run in their two losses to Texas.
Like Texas, Houston gets by with a pitching staff currently ranked eighth in the majors with a 3.40 ERA and ranks sixth in total strikeouts.
They start lefty Framber Valdez, who has been dynamite in his last two starts.
Valdez went seven innings of three-hit ball in a 9-1 win over the Brewers, allowing just the single run and fanning seven.
He followed that up by throwing eight innings, giving up just six hits and one earned run in a 2-1 win over the Brewers.
With these pitchers throwing some of their best stuff, combined with Houston and Texas struggling to plate runs early in the season, the trend of going Under the total — six times in the last eight meetings overall — seems to make the most sense.
Caesars QuickPick: Our Astros vs Rangers same-game parlay (SGP)
Under 8.5
Valdez Under 5.5 strikeouts
Leiter Under 4.5 strikeouts
We’ve targeted Sunday’s starters as part of our SGP ticket, starting with Framber Valdez.
The lefty has been solid on the mound, punching out batters, especially throughout May, where he’s picked up at least six strikeouts in three starts.
But Texas doesn’t strike out much. In fact, they sit eighth for the fewest strikeouts per game.
Valdez will be around that number, but look for him to stay Under the total.
We’re sticking to the Under for Leiter as well, as he’s struck out five batters in a game once in his last four starts, and twice all season.
That was last time out against Colorado, where he sent down five Rockies.
The punchouts just aren’t part of his game, as Leiter has only had one career start where he’s fanned at least 10 batters.
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Astros vs Rangers odds
Astros vs Rangers live odds
Astros vs Rangers opening odds
- Moneyline: Houston -125 | Texas +114
- Run line: Houston -1.5 (+135) | Texas +1.5 (-160)
- Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Odds courtesy of Caesars.
Astros vs Rangers trend
Texas has won five of the last eight head-to-head matchups. Find more MLB betting trends for Astros vs. Rangers.
How to watch Astros vs Rangers and game info
| Location | Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas |
| Date | Sunday, 5-18-2025 |
| First pitch | 1:05 p.m. ET |
| TV | Roku |
| Astros starting pitcher | Framber Valdez (2-4, 3.54 ERA) |
| Rangers starting pitcher | Jack Leiter (3-2, 4.35 ERA) |
Astros vs Rangers latest injuries
Astros vs Rangers weather
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