The MLB betting board for Thursday features a showdown in the Lonestar State as the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros begin a four-game set at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros have owned this rivalry in recent years and the odds for tonight reflect that, with Houston installed as a -200 favorite.
Here are our best free Rangers vs Astros picks and predictions for Thursday, May 13, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.
Rangers vs Astros game info
• Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX
• Date: Thursday, May 13, 2021
• Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
• TV: ATTH
Rangers vs Astros odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare MLB odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
MLB Sharp Money and Line Movement Report
By Patrick EversonTwinSpires pegged Houston as -188 chalk at the outset, got to -202 early on and peaked at -215, where the moneyline stands at 5 p.m. ET today. Bettors are firing away on the Astros, to the tune of 88 percent of tickets and 86 percent of money. "The Rangers are likely going to end up being a big need for us tonight," TwinSpires trading analyst Zachary Lucas said, noting that there's mounting parlay liability on the Astros, too. The total rose from 8.5 to 9, with the Over seeing 64 percent of tickets, but the Under is landing 54 percent of cash..
Check out the full line movement for this gameRangers vs Astros betting preview
Starting pitchers
Mike Foltynewicz (1-3, 4.50 ERA): Foltynewicz has had an up-and-down first year with the Rangers, surrendering at least four runs in three of seven starts but allowing two or fewer runs in three others.
In his previous outing, the right-hander surrendered four earned runs in 6 2-3 innings against the Mariners.
Cristian Javier (3-1, 2.90 ERA): The 24-year-old was looking like an ace through the first month of the season, closing April with a 17-inning stretch where he allowed just eight hits and zero runs.
But he's coming off his worst outing of the year, surrendering a pair of dingers and five runs through 5 1-3 innings in a loss against the Blue Jays.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
Rangers: Jose Trevino C (Questionable).
Astros: Pedro Baez RP (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Astros are 112-53 in their last 165 home games while the Rangers are 16-38 in their last 54 contests on the road. Find more MLB betting trends for Rangers vs. Astros.
Moneyline pick
Houston is fresh off a 9-1 win over the Angels last night and is 5-2 in the last seven games. The Astros are second in the AL West with a 20-17 record, 2.5 games ahead of the Rangers who are coming off back-to-back interleague losses to San Francisco.
The Astros rotation has been rocked by injuries this season, but today's starter, Cristian Javier, has been one of their most reliable arms.
Javier is coming off a rough outing against the Blue Jays but still has an impressive 1.00 WHIP with an opponent batting average of .176 in six starts this season. Last year as a rookie, Javier went 5-2 with a 3.48 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and OBA of .188 through 54 1-3 innings.
The Astros are showing detractors that they don't need to steal signs to mash the ball. Houston leads the majors in OPS at .759 while ranking third in scoring with 5.14 runs per game. Texas is near the middle of the pack in both categories, ranking 13th in OPS (.709) and 15th in runs per game (4.24).
Houston's success at the plate is bad news for Rangers starter Mike Foltynewicz, who has served up more total home runs (11) and more home runs per 9 innings (2.5) than any other qualifying pitcher in the majors.
With the Astros 13-3 in the last 16 meetings in Houston between these divisional rivals, back them on the runline.
PREDICTION: RL Houston -1.5 (+100)
Over/Under pick
The Astros lineup is absolutely loaded with Yuli Gurriel (.333 BA, 30 RBI), and Yordan Alvarez (.347 BA, .619 slugging percentage) leading the way.
That doesn't even cover other reliable hitters like Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, Michael Brantley, and Kyle Tucker, who leads the squad with eight homers. With such a dangerous group of sluggers, it should be little surprise that Houston is 7-2-1 to the Over in its last 10 games.
The Rangers are middling when it comes to their overall hitting stats, but they have been impressive both on the road and against right-handed pitchers like Javier. Texas plates an average of 4.63 runs per game in away contests and is eighth in the majors with an OPS of .721 against righties.
Both teams have also been impressive at the plate recently, ranking first and second in the majors in batting average over the last 15 days. With both clubs also sending starters to the mound who are coming off shaky outings, we're leaning to the Over.
PREDICTION: Over 8.5 (-120)
Rangers vs Astros betting card
- RL Houston -1.5 (+100)
- Over 8.5 (-120)
Picks made on 5/13/2021 at 9:30 a.m. ET
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