The latest edition of the Lone Star Series goes down on Monday night when the Houston Astros welcome the Texas Rangers to Minute Maid Park for the start of a three-game set.
Both clubs have been scorching hot since the All-Star break, with Houston winning six of nine games and Texas going 7-2 over that span.
Which of these rival clubs has the edge in tonight’s series opener? I’ll discuss in my Rangers vs. Astros MLB betting picks for Monday, July 24.
Rangers vs Astros odds
Rangers vs Astros predictions
The Houston Astros are fresh off a fruitful series against the lowly Athletics, taking three of four games to improve to 4-1 over their last five. Houston scored just 3.25 runs per game in the series but benefited from excellent pitching, allowing just 2.75 runs per contest.
In that vein, the Astros will send Brandon Bielak to the mound as they hope to contain the Texas Rangers’ top-ranked offense. The right-hander has rounded into form over the last few weeks, shutting out the Rockies twice in his last three starts.
His most recent outing came on July 19 when he held Colorado to just one hit over 5 2/3 innings. Bielak has given up a total of seven hits and two earned runs across his last three starts.
Although the Rangers scored eight runs in their last win on Sunday, they’ve slowed down a bit at the plate over their last eight contests. The club is 6-2 in those contests but has averaged 4.63 runs per game during that stretch — more than a run less than their season average of 5.80.
And despite the club’s firepower, Texas has also struggled to run up the score against Houston in recent years, recording four runs or fewer in six of the last 10 meetings. If Bielak brings the heat again, we could see another lower-scoring effort from the Rangers.
My best bet: Rangers team total Under 4.5 (-125 at DraftKings)
Rangers vs Astros same-game parlay
Rangers team total Under 4.5 (-125)
Kyle Tucker to record 2+ total bases (+115)
Nathaniel Lowe to record 2+ total bases (+100)
This contest features two of the hottest hitters in the majors in Kyle Tucker and Nathaniel Lowe, and we’ll lean on them to round out this same-game parlay.
Tucker has eight hits, three homers, six RBI, and 20 total bases over his last six contests, highlighted by a three-dinger, four-RBI showing against the Athletics on July 21.
Meanwhile, Lowe has eight hits and 14 total bases through his last six games, sporting a .381 average over that span. The sluggers also enter tonight’s contest on nine and eight-game hit streaks, respectively.
It should be a tight contest but either way, I expect both Tucker and Lowe to get theirs.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
Rangers vs Astros moneyline and Over/Under analysis
The clubs opened at similar odds with the Rangers getting -105 on the road and the Astros getting -103 at home. They remain in a deadlock this morning, making this ballgame a pick'em. With the clubs so tightly matched, I like to look towards the starters, where I’m giving Houston the slight edge tonight.
While Bielak has turned it up over his last three starts, Jon Gray has gone the opposite way for Texas.
The right-hander exited his last start after 4 1/3 innings after being hit by a comebacker but gave up eight hits in that ballgame and was lucky to escape without allowing a run. Gray allowed 21 hits, three homers, and 12 earned runs over his three previous starts — his worst stretch of play this season.
Tonight’s total is hovering at 8.5 to 9 depending on the book and I’m actually going to take the Under in this one. While both clubs have capable offenses, they have slowed down of late.
The Astros have been held to four runs or fewer in five of their last six contests while the Under is 6-3-1 in the last 10 meetings between the rivals.
Best MLB bonuses
Looking to bet on some baseball action? Here are two of the best bonuses* available:
A) New users at FanDuel can bet $5 and get $100 in bonus bets (win or lose)! Sign Up Now
B) Get a profit boost up to 100% on one MLB SGP at DraftKings! Opt-in Now
*Eligible USA locations only. Also, check out our full list of best sportsbook promotions for 2023.
21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Trend to know
The Under is 9-4 in Houston’s last 13 home games. Find more MLB betting trends for Rangers vs. Astros
Rangers vs Astros game info
| Location: | Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX |
| Date: | Monday, July 24, 2023 |
| First pitch: | 8:10 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports Southwest, AT&T Houston |
Starting pitchers
Jon Gray (6-5, 3.31 ERA): After a strong start to his season, Gray has come crashing back down to earth since mid-June, allowing 3+ earned runs in four of his last six starts with a 5.76 ERA over that span.
Brandon Bielak (5-5, 3.46 ERA): Bielak was rocked in June to the tune of a 6.61 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP across three starts before being optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. The right-hander was recalled in early July and has since found his rhythm, posting an impressive 1.02 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in his last three outings.
