Houston (57-33) at Texas (48-42)
When: Thursday, July 11th, 2019
Where: Globe Life Park,
Arlington, TX
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Texas -105/10.5
The Houston Astros lead in the American League West took at hit in the month of June after the team went through some struggles but finished up the first half on a high-note and look to carry that momentum into Thursday’s opener of a four-game set in Texas against the Rangers. The Astros hold a 7.5-game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the American League West with the Rangers sitting nine games out after they won seven of their last eight games entering the All-Star Break. Astros OF Michael Brantley, who drove in a run in this week’s All-Star Game, posted four-hit outings in each of his last two games before the break. Texas was within shouting distance of Houston when they reached 10 games above .500, but dropped six of its last eight after Sunday’s 4-1 win at Minnesota. Joey Gallo homered on the first pitch he saw in Tuesday’s All-Star Game but was just 3-for-18 with 12 strikeouts in his final five regular season games. Houston outscored the Rangers 33-11 in a four-game home sweep from May 9-12.
Pitchers: Astros – Framber Valdez (3-4, 4.57 ERA) | Rangers – Lance Lynn (11-4, 3.91 ERA)
Houston is scheduled to go with Framber Valdez to open the series after announcing Gerrit Cole, Wade Miley and Justin Verlander will start the final three games. Valdez will be recalled on Thursday and has made four starts for the Astros (out of 18 appearances) but was tagged for six runs and eight hits over three innings in a loss to Pittsburgh on June 26th.
10 CENT MLB LINES & 1% CASH BACK
Lance Lynn looks to win his fifth straight start and sixth consecutive decision on Thursday and has allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his past 10 starts. He’s allowed just two runs total over his past two starts over 15 innings while striking out 15 in wins over Tampa Bay and the L.A. Angels. Lynn, who gave up three runs and six hits over seven innings against Houston on May 10th, is 4-2 with a 2.20 ERA in eight career appearances (seven starts) against them.
Lynn has been almost automatic at home, posting a 7-0 record while Texas has gone 8-1 in his nine outings in Arlington. The Rangers also boast one of the best home records in the majors at 29-17 while Houston sits just five games over .500 away from home. Look for another short outing from Valdez in this one as the Rangers jump out to a lead and hold on.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for Thursday. He is 90-61 +1928 units on the season after a 4-0 run!
Pick: Rangers +124
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BETTING TRENDS:
Astros are 4-0 in their last 4 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Astros are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
Astros are 5-1 in their last 6 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Astros are 39-12 in their last 51 vs. American League West.
Astros are 49-19 in their last 68 during game 1 of a series.
Astros are 38-16 in their last 54 games following a win.
Astros are 35-17 in their last 52 games following an off day.
Astros are 39-19 in their last 58 overall.
Astros are 39-19 in their last 58 games on grass.
Astros are 4-9 in their last 13 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Astros are 2-5 in their last 7 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Astros are 3-8 in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Astros are 3-9 in their last 12 Thursday games.
Astros are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Rangers are 6-1 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Rangers are 4-1 in their last 5 Thursday games.
Rangers are 5-2 in their last 7 games following a win.
Rangers are 17-7 in their last 24 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Rangers are 2-6 in their last 8 overall.
Rangers are 2-7 in their last 9 games following an off day.
Rangers are 1-5 in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Rangers are 0-4 in their last 4 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Rangers are 6-0 in Lynn’s last 6 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Rangers are 4-0 in Lynn’s last 4 starts.
Rangers are 4-0 in Lynn’s last 4 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Rangers are 8-1 in Lynn’s last 9 home starts.
Rangers are 5-1 in Lynn’s last 6 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Rangers are 9-3 in Lynn’s last 12 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Rangers are 5-2 in Lynn’s last 7 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-0 in Astros last 4 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Astros last 4 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Astros last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 3-1-1 in Astros last 5 games following an off day.
Over is 7-3-2 in Astros last 12 games following a win.
Under is 4-0 in Rangers last 4 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Rangers last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 7-2 in Rangers last 9 during game 1 of a series.
Under is 20-7 in Rangers last 27 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 22-8-1 in Rangers last 31 games following an off day.
Under is 19-7 in Rangers last 26 games following a win.
Under is 12-5-1 in Rangers last 18 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-0 in Lynn’s last 4 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-0 in Lynn’s last 4 starts during game 1 of a series.
Under is 4-1 in Lynn’s last 5 starts vs. American League West.
Under is 7-2 in Lynn’s last 9 starts overall.
Under is 6-2 in Lynn’s last 8 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Under is 6-2 in Lynn’s last 8 starts on grass.
Under is 5-2 in Lynn’s last 7 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Astros are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Astros are 19-7 in the last 26 meetings in Texas.
