Houston (57-35) at Texas (50-42)
When: Saturday, July 13th, 2019
Where: Globe Life Park,
Arlington, TX
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: FS Southwest
Opening Odds: Houston -129/10
The Houston Astros lead in the American League West is slowly shrinking as the hard-charging Oakland A’s and Texas Rangers have closed the gap. Houston will try and get their first win of the second half when they play the third of four against Texas on Saturday night in Arlington. The Astros appeared to be on their way to victory on Friday after getting shutout 5-0 Thursday against Lance Lynn and the Rangers. But, their 8-4 lead in the seventh inning was cut in half, then the Rangers added two more in the eighth to tie it before walking-off victorious in the ninth inning for their fourth straight home victory over the Astros. The win moved Texas to within 1.5 games of Cleveland for the second AL wild card and seven games of division-leading Houston, while Oakland sits six back. Houston’s rookie sensation Yordan Alvarez finished 3-for-3 with a walk and hit two of the Astros’ four homers, improving to 12-for-23 with nine RBI and four multi-hit performances during his six-game hitting streak. The Rangers are hoping to get designated hitter Hunter Pence (groin) back on Saturday after playing a couple of rehab games at Double-A Frisco.
Pitchers: Astros – Wade Miley (7-4, 3.28 ERA) | Rangers – Mike Minor (8-4, 2.54)
Wade Miley has put together back-to-back strong outings against Seattle and at Colorado, holding the Rockies to one run on five hits while striking out six over as many innings at hitter-friendly Coors Field. The Astros are 12-6 when Miley starts, but just 5-5 on the road, where the lefty has a 4.56 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. Miley earned the win at home over Texas on May 9th when he held them to two runs and two hits over six innings.
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Mike Minor has been one of the biggest surprises of 2019, ranking in the top five in all of baseball in ERA, while going unbeaten in his last six starts. He had a rough outing before the All-Star Break when he lasted only 4.1 innings and surrendered three runs on two hits and four walks but came away with a no-decision. Minor blanked the Astros over seven innings to get the win at home on April 3rd, but gave up three runs over five innings of a 4-2 loss at Houston a month later.
The Rangers stumbled into the All-Star Break, but have re-gathered momentum by taking the first two from Houston this weekend. Minor has been Texas’ best pitcher and should be favored in this game. Look for Miley’s road struggles to continue here tonight.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for Saturday. He is 92-61 +2128 units on the season after a 6-0 run!
Pick: Rangers +115
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BETTING TRENDS:
Astros are 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Astros are 39-14 in their last 53 vs. American League West.
Astros are 38-15 in their last 53 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
Astros are 5-2 in their last 7 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Astros are 37-15 in their last 52 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Astros are 36-15 in their last 51 Saturday games.
Astros are 7-3 in their last 10 overall.
Astros are 7-3 in their last 10 games on grass.
Astros are 95-46 in their last 141 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Astros are 4-9 in their last 13 during game 3 of a series.
Astros are 3-8 in their last 11 road games.
Astros are 3-8 in their last 11 games following a loss.
Astros are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Astros are 1-5 in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Astros are 4-0 in Miley’s last 4 starts vs. American League West.
Astros are 7-2 in Miley’s last 9 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Astros are 6-2 in Miley’s last 8 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Astros are 10-4 in Miley’s last 14 starts.
Astros are 10-4 in Miley’s last 14 starts on grass.
Astros are 5-2 in Miley’s last 7 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Rangers are 8-1 in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Rangers are 4-1 in their last 5 during game 3 of a series.
Rangers are 8-2 in their last 10 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Rangers are 7-2 in their last 9 games following a win.
Rangers are 18-7 in their last 25 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Rangers are 5-2 in their last 7 Saturday games.
Rangers are 5-2 in their last 7 home games.
Rangers are 9-4 in their last 13 games on grass.
Rangers are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Rangers are 4-0 in Minor’s last 4 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Rangers are 5-1 in Minor’s last 6 starts during game 3 of a series.
Rangers are 5-1 in Minor’s last 6 starts.
Rangers are 5-1 in Minor’s last 6 starts on grass.
Rangers are 4-1 in Minor’s last 5 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Rangers are 4-1 in Minor’s last 5 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Rangers are 4-1 in Minor’s last 5 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Rangers are 1-5 in Minor’s last 6 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 5-1 in Astros last 6 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1-1 in Astros last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Under is 4-1 in Astros last 5 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
Over is 6-2 in Astros last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 5-2-1 in Astros last 8 Saturday games.
Under is 4-0 in Miley’s last 4 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-0 in Miley’s last 5 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Miley’s last 6 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 4-1 in Miley’s last 5 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Miley’s last 5 starts on grass.
Under is 4-1 in Miley’s last 5 starts overall.
Under is 4-1 in Miley’s last 5 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Miley’s last 7 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Under is 6-1 in Rangers last 7 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Under is 3-1-1 in Rangers last 5 during game 3 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 8-3-1 in Rangers last 12 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 16-6 in Rangers last 22 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 13-5-1 in Rangers last 19 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 20-8 in Rangers last 28 games following a win.
Under is 15-7-1 in Rangers last 23 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 10-1 in Minor’s last 11 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Minor’s last 6 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Minor’s last 6 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 16-5 in Minor’s last 21 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 16-5 in Minor’s last 21 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-2 in Minor’s last 8 home starts.
Under is 5-2 in Minor’s last 7 Saturday starts.
Under is 25-10-1 in Minor’s last 36 starts on grass.
Under is 25-10-1 in Minor’s last 36 starts overall.
Under is 10-4 in Minor’s last 14 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 12-5 in Minor’s last 17 starts vs. American League West.
Under is 5-0 in Minor’s last 5 starts vs. Astros.
Astros are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings in Texas.
