Sunday, September 27, 2015

Minute Maid Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Martin Perez (3-5) vs. Dallas Keuchel (18-8)

The Texas Rangers take on the Houston Astros on Sunday at Minute Maid Park. The probable starters are Martin Perez for the Rangers and Dallas Keuchel for the Astros. The opening line for this matchup has Texas at +225 and Houston at -245. The over/under was set at 8. The Rangers, with a 93-60 run line record, cover the spread 61% of the time. They also have a 67-76 over/under record. The Astros have a 69-76 over/under record and a 80-74 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 52% of the time.

The Rangers show up with a 84-69 record, including 45-34 on the road. Starting pitcher Martin Perez holds a 3-5 record with an earned run average of 5.21 and a WHIP of 1.54. He's pitched 65.2 innings thus far while surrendering 79 hits over that time and when he starts, the Rangers are 7-5. The Rangers are also 5-7 against the over/under in his starts. He is getting 5.2 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has given up 448 hits on the season and have an earned run average of 4.12. Teams are hitting .244 against the bullpen while being struck out 438 times and walking 189 times this season. As a team, Texas has allowed 9.09 hits per nine innings while striking out 6.8 batters per nine. They are 23rd in the league in team earned run average at 4.23.

As a team, Texas is batting .258, good for 10th in the league while putting together a .241 average away from home. The Rangers on-base percentage sits at .325, which puts them at 7th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .413. They rank 9th in baseball with 8.77 hits per game and Prince Fielder leads the team with 174.

Houston is 51-28 at home while holding a 80-74 overall record on the season. With an earned run average of 2.51, Dallas Keuchel will come into this game holding a 18-8 record and a 1.02 WHIP. He's pitched 219 innings thus far while surrendering 177 hits over that time in which the Astros are 21-10. The Astros are also 15-16 against the over/under in his starts. He is getting 4.9 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has given up 346 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 3.21. Teams are hitting .213 against the Astros bullpen while being struck out 434 times and walking 130 times this season. As a team, Houston has allowed 8.13 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.9 batters per nine. They are 6th in the league in team earned run average at 3.56.

As a team, they are batting .247, good for 27th in the league while putting together a .252 average at home. The Astros on-base percentage sits at .312, which puts them at 20th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .427. They rank 28th in baseball with 8.28 hits per game and Jose Altuve leads the team with 188.

In terms of team defense, the Rangers have a fielding percentage of .980 with 114 total errors, 1,586 assists and 4,091 put outs. For the home team, they hold a .987 team fielding percentage while committing 76 errors, accumulating 1,546 assists and compiling 4,113 put outs.

Texas Rangers Betting Trends

The Texas Rangers are 67-76 against the over/under so far this season

The Texas Rangers are 93-60 against the run line so far this season

Houston Astros Betting Trends

The Houston Astros are 69-76 against the over/under so far this season

The Houston Astros are 80-74 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Texas Rangers

09/02/15 P Alex Claudio Groin Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (9/1)
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

Houston Astros

09/26/15 2B Jose Altuve Jaw is upgraded to expected to be in the starting lineup Saturday vs. Texas Rangers
09/26/15 CF Carlos Gomez Side expected to miss Saturday & Sunday vs. Texas Rangers
09/11/15 P Scott Feldman Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (9/14); out for season
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

Josh's Pick: Take the Rangers

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