Monday, September 14, 2015

Globe Life Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Scott Kazmir (7-10) vs. Cole Hamels (3-1)

The Texas Rangers welcome the Houston Astros to Globe Life Park on Monday. The probable starters are Scott Kazmir for the Astros and Cole Hamels for the Rangers. The opening line for this matchup has Houston at +120 and Texas at -130. The over/under was set at 8. The Astros, with a 75-67 run line record, cover the spread 53% of the time. They also have a 63-73 over/under record. The Rangers have a 58-75 over/under record and a 84-57 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 60% of the time.

The Astros come into this game with a 76-66 record, and they are 28-42 away from home. Scott Kazmir has a 7-10 record on the season, an earned run average of 2.63 and a 1.14 WHIP. The Astros are 9-12 over his 164.1 innings pitched and he's also given up 135 hits over that time period. The Astros are also 11-10 against the over/under in his starts. He is getting 5.2 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 2.94 and they've given up 304 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .205 against the bullpen while being struck out 402 times and walking 121 times this season. As a team, Houston has allowed 7.99 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.89 batters per nine. They are 4th in the league in team earned run average at 3.39.

As a team, Houston is batting .244, good for 29th in the league while putting together a .239 average away from home. Ranked at 23rd in the league in on-base percentage, the Astros sit at .309 and they hold a .424 team slugging percentage. They rank 29th in baseball with 8.17 hits per game and Jose Altuve leads the team with 170.

With a 74-67 overall record, Texas will come into this game 33-33 at home. Cole Hamels has a record of 3-1 while sporting an earned run average of 4.07 on the year with a 1.32 WHIP. The Rangers have a record of 5-2 over the 48.2 innings he's pitched during which he's given up 49 hits. The Rangers are also 4-3 against the over/under in his starts. He is getting 5 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 4.35 and they have given up 421 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .249 against the Rangers bullpen while being struck out 395 times and walking 178 times this season. As a team, Texas has allowed 9.11 hits per nine innings while striking out 6.76 batters per nine. They are 25th in the league in team earned run average at 4.32.

As a team, they are batting .253, good for 17th in the league while putting together a .271 average at home. Ranked at 14th in the league in on-base percentage, the Rangers sit at .319 and they hold a .403 team slugging percentage. They rank 17th in baseball with 8.57 hits per game and Prince Fielder leads the team with 161.

The Astros have committed 68 errors and have combined for 1,440 assists and 3,800 put outs leading to a .987 team fielding percentage. For the home team, they hold a .981 team fielding percentage while committing 100 errors, accumulating 1,458 assists and compiling 3,767 put outs.

Houston Astros Betting Trends

The Houston Astros are 63-73 against the over/under so far this season

The Houston Astros are 75-67 against the run line so far this season

Texas Rangers Betting Trends

The Texas Rangers are 58-75 against the over/under so far this season

The Texas Rangers are 84-57 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Houston Astros

09/13/15 CF Carlos Gomez Side scratched from starting lineup Sunday vs. Los Angeles Angels
09/11/15 P Scott Feldman Shoulder out for season
08/30/15 C Jason Castro Quad Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/29)
05/19/15 P Samuel Deduno Back Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/14), out for season
04/17/15 P Brad Peacock Hip Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/14); out for season

Texas Rangers

09/10/15 RF Josh Hamilton Knee out indefinitely
09/02/15 P Alex Claudio Groin Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (9/1)
08/25/15 CF Leonys Martin Hand Injury is on the 15 day disabled list
08/13/15 1B Kyle Blanks Achilles Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/17)
08/02/15 P Tanner Scheppers Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/2)
08/01/15 C Robinson Chirinos Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/31)
05/29/15 P Nick Tepesch Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/7)
04/06/15 P Lisalverto Bonilla Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/31)
04/06/15 P Yu Darvish Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/6), out for season
04/04/15 RF Antoan Richardson Back Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/2)
04/04/15 2B Jurickson Profar Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (2/24), out for season

Tony's Pick: Take the Astros

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