Houston @ Texas Picks & Props

Globe Life Field ranks as the #26 field in the majors for right-handed base hits, via the leading projection system (THE BAT). Globe Life Field has the 6th-deepest centerfield dimensions among all major league stadiums. The Globe Life Field roof is expected to be closed today, making weather conditions in this match-up -8° colder than the average outdoor game of all games on the slate — favorable for pitching. Ronel Blanco will hold the platoon advantage against Marcus Semien in today's game. Marcus Semien's launch angle of late (14.8° over the last week) is a significant dropoff from his 18° seasonal figure.

Jonah Heim will possess the home field advantage in today's matchup, which should boost all of his stats. Jonah Heim has seen a significant increase in his exit velocity lately; just compare his 93.2-mph average in the past 7 days to his seasonal 89.1-mph mark. Jonah Heim's ability to hit the ball at a HR-optimizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) has gotten better from last season to this one, rising from 13.4% to 21.2%. In the last 14 days, Jonah Heim's 25.7% rate of hitting balls at a HR-maximizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) shows big improvement over his seasonal rate of 21.2%. With a .275 batting average this year, Jonah Heim is positioned in the 80th percentile.

According to the leading projection system (THE BAT X), Kyle Tucker ranks as the 16th-best hitter in the majors. Kyle Tucker is projected to hit 3rd in the batting order in this game. Kyle Tucker will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Jon Gray in today's game. Kyle Tucker has seen a significant increase in his exit velocity of late; just compare his 93.9-mph average in the last 7 days to his seasonal 91.2-mph mark. Kyle Tucker's launch angle lately (21.4° over the last two weeks) is significantly better than his 14.1° seasonal figure.

Leody Taveras's BABIP skill is projected in the 80th percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Home field advantage typically bolsters batter stats in all categories, and Leody Taveras will hold that advantage today. Leody Taveras's ability to hit the ball at a base hit-maximizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has increased from last year to this one, going from 41.4% to 49.5%. Leody Taveras's ability to hit the ball at a BABIP-optimizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has gotten better in recent games, rising from 49.5% on the season to 62.5% over the past week. Using Statcast data, Leody Taveras is in the 91st percentile for offensive ability per the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected wOBA (xwOBA) this year at .368.

Travis Jankowski will receive the benefit of the platoon advantage against Ronel Blanco today. The Houston Astros don't have any same-handed RPs in their bullpen, so Travis Jankowski is guaranteed to never face a bullpen mismatch the whole game. Home field advantage typically bolsters batter stats across the board, and Travis Jankowski will hold that advantage in today's matchup. Travis Jankowski has shown favorable plate discipline since the start of last season, ranking in the 97th percentile with a 1.17 K/BB rate.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Jose Altuve in the 95th percentile when estimating his overall offensive ability. Jose Altuve is projected to bat 1st on the lineup card in this matchup. Using Statcast metrics, Jose Altuve is in the 91st percentile for hitting ability via the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected wOBA (xwOBA) since the start of last season at .355. Jose Altuve has compiled a .385 wOBA (the best measure of overall offense) since the start of last season, ranking in the 98th percentile. With a .295 batting average since the start of last season, Jose Altuve is positioned in the 97th percentile.

When assessing his overall offensive skill, Mitch Garver ranks in the 75th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Home field advantage generally improves hitter metrics across the board, and Mitch Garver will hold that advantage today. The Barrel% of Mitch Garver has significantly improved, with an increase from 8.8% last year to 14.6% this year. Compared to his seasonal average of 14.2°, Mitch Garver has significantly improved his launch angle in recent games, posting a 23.3° angle in the past two weeks' worth of games.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Alex Bregman in the 95th percentile when it comes to his overall offensive skill. Alex Bregman is projected to hit 2nd on the lineup card in this matchup. In the last 7 days, Alex Bregman has significantly improved the launch angle on his hardest-contacted balls: 20.3° compared to his seasonal mark of 13.7°. a 1 K/BB rate this year, Alex Bregman has shown impressive plate discipline, placing in the 98th percentile.

Ezequiel Duran's BABIP skill is projected in the 86th percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Ezequiel Duran will hold the home field advantage in today's matchup, which figures to boost all of his stats. Ezequiel Duran has made big improvements with his Barrel%, upping his 4.6% rate last season to 12.9% this year. Ezequiel Duran has made substantial gains with his Barrel% recently, bettering his 12.9% seasonal rate to 19.4% in the last two weeks' worth of games. Ezequiel Duran has notched a .397 wOBA (the best measure of overall offense) this year, checking in at the 96th percentile.

As it relates to his overall offensive ability, Adolis Garcia ranks in the 80th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Adolis Garcia is projected to hit 4th on the lineup card in this game. Home field advantage generally boosts hitter metrics in all categories, and Adolis Garcia will hold that advantage today. In the past week, Adolis Garcia's Barrel% has experienced a surge, jumping from his seasonal rate of 15.9% up to 33.3%. Adolis Garcia has seen a sizeable increase in his exit velocity on flyballs lately; just compare his 100.5-mph average over the past two weeks to his seasonal figure of 96.3-mph.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Josh Jung in the 94th percentile as it relates to his BABIP skill. Josh Jung is projected to hit 5th in the lineup in this game. Home field advantage generally bolsters hitter metrics in all categories, and Josh Jung will hold that advantage in today's matchup. Josh Jung has negatively regressed with his Barrel% in recent games; his 11.5% seasonal rate has dropped to 0% in the last week's worth of games. Over the last 7 days, Josh Jung's exit velocity on flyballs has seen a big rise, from 95.8-mph over the course of the season to 97.9-mph of late.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Jose Abreu in the 88th percentile when estimating his batting average skill. Jose Abreu is penciled in 4th in the lineup in this game. Jose Abreu has been hot lately, raising his seasonal exit velocity of 89.5-mph to 98-mph over the past two weeks. Jose Abreu's ability to hit the ball at a BABIP-optimizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has increased recently, increasing from 44.1% on the season to 65.5% over the last 14 days. The leading projection system (THE BAT X) estimates Jose Abreu's true offensive ability to be a .334, indicating that he has had some very poor luck this year given the .058 deviation between that figure and his actual .276 wOBA.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Yainer Diaz in the 89th percentile when it comes to his batting average skill. Yainer Diaz is penciled in 5th on the lineup card in this game. Yainer Diaz's ability to hit the ball at a base hit-maximizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has gotten better recently, increasing from 38.6% on the season to 57.1% over the last week. Sporting a .285 Expected Batting Average (an advanced metric created by the leading projection system (THE BAT X) based on Statcast data) this year , Yainer Diaz grades out in the 89th percentile. Placing in the 78th percentile, Yainer Diaz has posted a .274 batting average this year.

In the past week's worth of games, Chas McCormick's 66.7% rate of hitting balls at a base hit-optimizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) shows big improvement over his seasonal rate of 41%.

Over the last 7 days, Corey Julks's 58.3% rate of hitting balls at a base hit-maximizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) shows big improvement over his seasonal rate of 48.3%. By putting up a .340 BABIP this year, Corey Julks has performed in the 83rd percentile.

Jeremy Pena's BABIP skill is projected in the 94th percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Jeremy Pena has made big strides with his Barrel% recently, upping his 6% seasonal rate to 16.7% in the past week. Jeremy Pena has been hot recently, raising his seasonal exit velocity of 87.7-mph to 94-mph in the last week. Jeremy Pena's ability to hit the ball at a HR-maximizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) has gotten better of late, rising from 14.4% on the season to 25% over the past 7 days. When it comes to his batting average, Jeremy Pena this year. His .253 mark falls considerably below the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Statcast-based Expected Batting Average (xBA) at .273.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Mauricio Dubon in the 83rd percentile when it comes to his batting average ability. Mauricio Dubon has seen a sizeable improvement in his exit velocity this season; just compare his 86.8-mph average to last season's 84.6-mph figure. Mauricio Dubon has recorded a .303 Expected Batting Average this year, checking in at the 96th percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s interpretation of Statcast data. Mauricio Dubon has compiled a .290 batting average this year, placing in the 91st percentile.

Nathaniel Lowe has gone over 0.5 in 8 of his last 10 games.

Martin Maldonado has gone over 0.5 in 2 of his last 10 games.

Corey Seager has gone over 1.5 in 4 of his last 10 games.