Houston @ Texas Picks & Props

Josh Smith is projected to hit 1st on the lineup card today. Among every team in action today, the 5th-worst infield defense is that of the Houston Astros. Home field advantage typically bolsters batter stats across the board, and Josh Smith will hold that advantage in today's game. Josh Smith has exhibited good plate discipline this year, ranking in the 78th percentile with a 1.76 K/BB rate.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Mauricio Dubon in the 79th percentile as it relates to his batting average skill. Mauricio Dubon will have the handedness advantage over Patrick Corbin today. Among every team today, the 4th-weakest infield defense is that of the the Texas Rangers. Mauricio Dubon's ability to hit the ball at a HR-maximizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) has increased from last season to this one, going from 12.1% to 19.6%. With a 1.68 K/BB rate this year, Mauricio Dubon has shown favorable plate discipline, checking in at the 81st percentile.

Hitting from the opposite that Patrick Corbin throws from, Ramon Urias will have an advantage in today's matchup. Among every team today, the 4th-weakest infield defense is that of the the Texas Rangers. Ramon Urias has made significant strides with his Barrel% recently, upping his 8% seasonal rate to 14.3% in the past two weeks. Ramon Urias has been hot of late, raising his seasonal exit velocity of 89.5-mph to 95.5-mph in the last two weeks' worth of games. Ramon Urias's launch angle of late (24.1° over the past 14 days) is considerably better than his 13.4° seasonal figure.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Jake Meyers in the 86th percentile when assessing his BABIP talent. Jake Meyers will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Patrick Corbin in today's matchup. Among every team today, the 4th-weakest infield defense is that of the the Texas Rangers. Jake Meyers's ability to hit the ball at a BABIP-maximizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has gotten better from last season to this one, going from 44.4% to 51.4%. Jake Meyers has compiled a .374 BABIP this year, ranking in the 99th percentile.

Carlos Correa's batting average talent is projected to be in the 94th percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Carlos Correa is penciled in 4th in the batting order today. Carlos Correa will receive the benefit of the platoon advantage against Patrick Corbin today. Among every team today, the 4th-weakest infield defense is that of the the Texas Rangers. Utilizing Statcast data, Carlos Correa ranks in the 89th percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected Batting Average this year at .283.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Jose Altuve in the 91st percentile when estimating his batting average ability. Jose Altuve is projected to hit 3rd in the lineup in this game. Batting from the opposite that Patrick Corbin throws from, Jose Altuve will have an edge in today's matchup. Among every team today, the 4th-weakest infield defense is that of the the Texas Rangers. There has been a significant improvement in Jose Altuve's launch angle from last season's 14° to 17.4° this year.

Yainer Diaz's batting average ability is projected to be in the 97th percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Yainer Diaz will hold the platoon advantage over Patrick Corbin today. Among every team today, the 4th-weakest infield defense is that of the the Texas Rangers. Yainer Diaz has made significant strides with his Barrel% lately, bettering his 8.4% seasonal rate to 18.8% in the last week's worth of games. Over the past 7 days, Yainer Diaz's exit velocity on flyballs has seen a big rise, from 93.4-mph over the course of the season to 96.8-mph lately.

When assessing his overall offensive skill, Wyatt Langford ranks in the 96th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Wyatt Langford is projected to hit 1st on the lineup card in this game. Batting from the same side that Luis Garcia throws from, Wyatt Langford faces a tough challenge in today's matchup. Among every team in action today, the 5th-worst infield defense is that of the Houston Astros. Home field advantage typically bolsters batter stats in all categories, and Wyatt Langford will hold that advantage today.

Christian Walker is projected to hit 5th on the lineup card today. Batting from the opposite that Patrick Corbin throws from, Christian Walker will have an advantage in today's game. Among every team today, the 4th-weakest infield defense is that of the the Texas Rangers. Despite posting a .307 wOBA this year, the leading projection system (THE BAT X) believes Christian Walker has been unlucky given the .024 deviation between that mark and his estimated true talent wOBA of .331.

According to the leading projection system (THE BAT X), Yordan Alvarez ranks as the 3rd-best batter in the majors. Yordan Alvarez is penciled in 2nd in the lineup in today's game. Among every team today, the 4th-weakest infield defense is that of the the Texas Rangers. Yordan Alvarez has made notable strides with his Barrel% recently, upping his 14% seasonal rate to 20% over the last two weeks. In comparison to his 93.1-mph average last year, Yordan Alvarez's exit velocity has noticeably risen this season, now sitting at 95.2 mph.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Jeremy Pena in the 97th percentile when it comes to his batting average skill. Jeremy Pena is projected to hit 1st in the batting order in this game. Jeremy Pena will receive the benefit of the platoon advantage against Patrick Corbin today. Among every team today, the 4th-weakest infield defense is that of the the Texas Rangers. In the past week's worth of games, Jeremy Pena's Barrel% has experienced a surge, jumping from his seasonal rate of 7.9% up to 20%.

Luis Garcia will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Dylan Moore in today's matchup. Typically, bats like Dylan Moore who hit a lot of groundballs usually hit worse when facing pitchers who also induce a lot of groundballs such as Luis Garcia. Among every team in action today, the 5th-worst infield defense is that of the Houston Astros. Home field advantage typically improves batter stats in all categories, and Dylan Moore will hold that advantage in today's game. Dylan Moore's ability to hit the ball at a HR-maximizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) has improved from last year to this one, rising from 18% to 22.1%.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Josh Jung in the 89th percentile when it comes to his BABIP talent. Josh Jung is projected to hit 3rd in the lineup in today's game, which would be an upgrade from his 62% rate of hitting in the bottom-half of the lineup this season. Hitting from the same side that Luis Garcia throws from, Josh Jung encounters a tough challenge today. Among every team in action today, the 5th-worst infield defense is that of the Houston Astros. Home field advantage generally improves hitter stats in all categories, and Josh Jung will hold that advantage today.

As a switch-hitter who bats worse from the 0 side of the dish, Jonah Heim will bat from his weak side against Luis Garcia in today's matchup. Among every team in action today, the 5th-worst infield defense is that of the Houston Astros. Home field advantage generally boosts hitter stats across the board, and Jonah Heim will hold that advantage in today's game. Jonah Heim's ability to hit the ball at a HR-optimizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) has improved from last season to this one, increasing from 11.1% to 15.8%. Despite posting a .267 wOBA this year, the leading projection system (THE BAT X) believes Jonah Heim has had some very poor luck given the .019 disparity between that figure and his estimated true talent wOBA of .286.

Cody Freeman is projected to hit 2nd in the batting order today, which would be an upgrade from his 93% rate of hitting in the bottom-half of the lineup this season. Batting from the same side that Luis Garcia throws from, Cody Freeman meets a tough challenge in today's game. Among every team in action today, the 5th-worst infield defense is that of the Houston Astros. Cody Freeman will benefit from the home field advantage in today's game, which should boost all of his stats. The standard deviation of Cody Freeman's launch angle has been very consistent recently (37.5° in the past 14 days), which is a measure of reliable bat control and seeing the ball well.

When assessing his overall offensive talent, Jake Burger ranks in the 92nd percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Jake Burger has primarily hit in the back-half of the lineup this season (73% of the time), but he is penciled in 4th in the batting order in today's game. Batting from the same side that Luis Garcia throws from, Jake Burger will have a disadvantage in today's game. Among every team in action today, the 5th-worst infield defense is that of the Houston Astros. Home field advantage typically improves hitter metrics across the board, and Jake Burger will hold that advantage today.

Kyle Higashioka is projected to hit 5th in the batting order in today's game, which would be an upgrade from his 89% rate of hitting in the bottom-half of the batting order this season. Batting from the same side that Luis Garcia throws from, Kyle Higashioka has a tough challenge in today's matchup. Extreme groundball hitters like Kyle Higashioka tend to perform worse against extreme groundball pitchers like Luis Garcia. Among every team in action today, the 5th-worst infield defense is that of the Houston Astros. Kyle Higashioka will hold the home field advantage today, which figures to boost all of his stats.

Luis Garcia will receive the benefit of the platoon advantage against Ezequiel Duran in today's game. Among every team in action today, the 5th-worst infield defense is that of the Houston Astros. Home field advantage typically improves hitter metrics across the board, and Ezequiel Duran will hold that advantage today. Ezequiel Duran has recorded a .319 BABIP since the start of last season, grading out in the 84th percentile.

Luis Garcia will have the handedness advantage against Michael Helman in today's game. Among every team in action today, the 5th-worst infield defense is that of the Houston Astros. Michael Helman will benefit from the home field advantage in today's matchup, which should bolster all of his stats.