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Free MLB Pick: Astros vs Rangers Odds
Looking for Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers free mlb predictions? MLB betting sees the Astros taking on the Rangers on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at Globe Life Park in Arlington Texas. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLB baseball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily MLB predictions like this Astros Rangers free pick.
(1-0) Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers (0-1)
Date: Saturday, March 31, 2018
Time: 4:05 PM ET
Venue: Globe Life Park, Arlington Texas
Projected Pitchers: Lance McCullers vs. Matt Moore
MLB Moneyline Odds: Houston -183
MLB RunLine Betting Odds: Houston -1.5 (-125)
MLB Baseball Gambling Total: 10
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The reigning world champs Houston were able to handle business on the road against interstate rival Texas 4-1 the other night, now they look to make it another against this divisional foe. Texas will be throwing out lefty Matt Moore to take on young stud Lance McCullers. Houston opened up as (-185) money line favorites, while the line has creeped up to around (-200).
Houston Astros
Houston was able to do just enough off of six hits to put away Texas in low scoring fashion. The six hits and four runs were impactful, but the game ball goes to the pitching staff who held Texas to one run on six hits, while only giving up two walks.
In his third year in the big leagues we saw why McCullers was drafted in the first round. He produced strikeouts (10.01 K/9), barely gave up walks (3.03 BB/9), and he didn’t give up the long ball (0.61 HR/9).
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McCuller’s 4.25 ERA was a little average, but that could be blamed on his .330 BABIP. The real stat is in his FIP where he posted a sparkling 3.10 FIP. The next facet of his game to improve on is his LOB% which was a meager 67.6% last year.
Texas Rangers
Although Texas had the same amount of hits as Houston, they were only able to produce one run out of it, which came off of a wild pitch in the ninth. This is a streaky Rangers lineup that can really hit the ball when they are on, but when they are off we tend to see a bunch of whiffs from them.
The lefty Moore does a little bit of it all. He can get strikeouts with a K/9 of 8.18, while he also induces ground balls (38.4%) and fly balls (41.7%) on a consistent basis. Home runs are also hard to come by Moore as he owns a career HR/9 of 1.09 and HR/FB ratio of 11.6%.
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Moore is an average pitcher who owns a career ERA of 4.27 and FIP of 4.24. He has had some bad luck with a career BABIP of .296 considering his style of pitching, while his LOB% (72.9%) could be improved upon.
MLB Baseball Betting Trends:
- HOU are 35-16 in their last 51 games on grass.
- HOU are 35-17 in their last 52 overall.
- TEX are 2-9 in their last 11 overall.
- TEX are 2-9 in their last 11 games on grass.
- TEX are 2-9 in their last 11 home games.
- HOU are 18-38 in the last 56 meetings in Texas.
Free Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers MLB Prediction: Moore, Texas keep it close with Houston
4* Free MLB Betting Pick: Texas +1.5
Texas hits righties better than lefties, while Moore has held his own against Houston as Texas has won their last three contests against Houston when he pitches. Neither team has been hitting great, and while Houston may edge out the victory, Texas should keep this game close through nine. Take the free points.
MLB Free Score Prediction: Houston 6 – Texas 5
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