The Houston Astros are 3-0 straight up and on the runline over their last three games after sweeping the Oakland A’s earlier this week. The Astros hope to stay hot in a three-game series against the Texas Rangers starting this Friday night in Houston.
Rangers vs. Astros odds 2018: All-Texas matchup has Houston as Friday betting favorite
The Houston Astros will try to build on a three-game sweep over Oakland with a win over the Texas Rangers, with the sportsbooks giving them the clear edge on Friday.
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Houston is a -250 betting favorite in the series opener at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. Staff aces Justin Verlander and Cole Hamels will square off on Friday with the Rangers going off as a +225 underdog.
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros
When: Friday, May 11, 8:10 p.m. ET
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
Betting Line / Total: Houston -250 / 7.5 Runs
Houston Astros
After kicking off the season with a 20-10 record through their first 30 games, the Astros opened up the month of May with an uncharacteristic 1-5 slump. Houston quickly got things back on track this week with its road sweep over Oakland, improving to 5-0 straight up and on the runline in their last five games against AL West opponents.
The defending champions are third in the MLB in runs scored with 190 and best in the league in Team ERA with a dazzling 2.60 ERA.
In 18 starts with the Astros since being acquired at the trade deadline last year, Justin Verlander has led his team to a record of 14-4 straight up and 11-7 on the runline.
Texas Rangers
Texas enters this weekend’s series against the Astros nine games behind the division leaders with a record of 15-24. Interestingly, the Rangers have actually fared far better on the road than at home this season, going 8-8 away from Globe Life Park and 7-16 in Arlington.
Once a world-class innings eater, Cole Hamels has failed to complete seven innings in each of his first eight starts, leading the team to an ugly 1-7 record over that stretch.
Friday night’s total is set at 7.5 runs. The UNDER is 5-1 in Verlander’s last six starts.
Two years removed from a 95-67 campaign in 2016 that earned Texas the top spot in the AL West, the Rangers look to have a long climb back into contention. The Rangers will try to steal a game or two in this series sending Doug Fister to the mound against Charlie Morton on Saturday and Matt Moore up against Dallas Keuchel on Sunday.
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