Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros 4/16/2023 Analysis, Odds and Free Picks
In the upcoming MLB game at Minute Maid Park, TX, the Texas Rangers will take on the Houston Astros on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at 7:08 PM ET. After winning the first match of the series on Friday, the Rangers took the lead in the AL West, surpassing the Los Angeles Angels. This win was crucial for the Rangers, as they have had a dismal 5-29 record in Houston since 2019. The two-run homer by right fielder Adolis Garca and the three RBIs by 1B Nathaniel Lowe propelled Texas to a 6-3 win and a 2.5-game lead over the Astros.
The Rangers are currently fifth in run production, averaging 5.62 runs per game, and sixteenth in batting average with a .731 OPS. They rank 20th in long balls (15) and 27th in stolen bases (4) in MLB. However, Texas’ pitching staff has been performing well this year, ranking eighth with a 3.80 ERA and ninth with a 1.24 WHIP. Starting pitcher Andrew Heaney had a rough start to the season against Baltimore, giving up seven earned runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings. He bounced back against Kansas City on April 10, pitching five innings with no earned runs on two hits and 10 strikeouts. The left-hander, who pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, is now 31 years old and has made 16 appearances (14 starts), going 4-4 with a 3.10 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. In his 11 career starts (61.0 innings), Heaney has shown promise on the mound.
- The Texas Rangers are 2-8 SU in their last 10 games on the road.
- Texas is 4-16 SU in their last 20 games on the road against Houston.
- The total went OVER in 4 of Texas’ last 5 games against an opponent in the American League.
Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros 4/16/2023 Analysis, Odds and Free Picks
The Houston Astros are struggling after losing the first game of their series against the Texas Rangers, putting them two games below .500 after 14 games. Fans in H-Town are left wondering if this is a sign of things to come, especially with a difficult schedule of games coming up. In the opening game, the Astros only managed to get six hits in 32 at-bats against Texas, and they were unable to convert any of their eight opportunities with runners in scoring position, striking out eight times and leaving seven runners on base. Luis Garcia gave up five runs to the Rangers, who added another run in the 9th inning against Ronel Blanco.
Houston currently ranks 12th in average runs per game (4.86), batting average (.251), and OPS (.726). They have stolen nine bases (17th) and hit 16 home runs (14th) this season. The pitching staff has produced five quality starts and ranks 13th with a 1.33 WHIP and 10th with a 3.91 ERA. The Astros are pinning their hopes on left-hander Framber Valdez to deliver a third strong outing in his next start on Sunday.
- The Houston Astros are 16-4 SU in their last 20 games at home against the Texas Rangers.
- The total went OVER in 8 of Houston’s last 11 games against an opponent in the American League.
- The Rangers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games with a team in the American League West Division.
Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros. The MLB pick for this game is the Houston Astros. The Houston Astros have been performing well against left-handed pitchers this season, hitting at a.262 clip with a.333 OBP, a.500 SLG, and an OPS of.833 in 122 at-bats. They have hit seven homers and eight doubles in that span, while striking out less often against lefties compared to right-handers. On the other hand, the Texas Rangers have struggled against lefties in 2023, only managing a.225 batting average with a.303 OBP, a.300 SLG, and.603 OPS in 122 at-bats. Houston’s starting pitcher on Sunday, Framber Valdez, has a good track record against them. In his 13 career appearances against the Rangers, Valdez has gone 6-3 with a 2.55 ERA and 77 strikeouts. The Astros will win the game with a predicted score of 8-4.
MLB Starting Time: 7:08 PM ET
Location: Minute Maid Park, TX
Date: Sunday, April 16, 2023
TV: ESPN
MLB Odds: Texas Rangers +175
MLB Totals: 7.5
