2012 Interleague Texas vs Houston Betting Preview
An interleague battle between two teams from the state of Texas kicks off Friday night in Houston.
Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros MLB Betting Preview
Starting Pitchers: Texas (Feliz) vs. Houston (Rodriguez)
Date/Time: May 18, 8:05 p.m. EST
MLB Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
Moneyline: Texas (-160) Houston (+140)
Runline: Rangers -1.5 (+105) Astros +1.5 (-125)
Total: 6.5
The Rangers have been one of the best teams in baseball all year, while the Astros have been far more competitive than most expected.
The Astros send their top starting pitcher to the mound. Will that be enough to upset the Rangers?
Texas had a very disappointing last four games. They lost two games at home to Kansas City and split with Oakland. The Rangers turn to Neftali Feliz to get the team back on the right track Friday night. Feliz outdueled Jeff Weaver in his last start.
There isn’t a team in the majors with a better lineup from top to bottom than the Texas Rangers. Josh Hamilton has been ridiculously good this year. Hamilton is hitting .399 with 18 homers and 45 RBI’s. Ian Kinsler is one of the most dangerous leadoff hitters in the game.
Texas leads the league in runs scored as well as team batting average. The Rangers team ERA is just 3.13, which is third best in the majors. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Wandy Rodriguez gets the start for the Astros. Rodriguez has been dominating at home over the last few years. Houston has had bad teams, but Rodriguez has still found a way to be extremely tough to beat at Minute Maid Park. Rodriguez leads the Astros pitching staff with a brilliant 1.99 ERA so far in 2012.
He’ll have his work cut out for him in this one against a Rangers team that hits better than .300 against lefties. Jose Altuve may only be 5’5, but he is a very tough guy to get out.
Altuve is batting .309 with 7 stolen bases already this season. Carlos Lee is swinging a hot bat right now as well.
The Rangers lineup is scary good, but Wandy Rodgriguez is awesome at home. The Rangers are 8-1 in their last 9 against Houston, but the Astros are 4-1 in Rodriguez’s last 5 home starts against a team with a winning record.
This one should be very tight.
MLB Free Pick: Astros +1.5
