MLB Predictions: Can Astros beat Rangers on the road? 9/25/17
Will the Houston Astros go on the road and pick up a win over AL West foe, the Texas Rangers, when the two meet tonight at 8:05PM ET? Here’s our MLB Predictions for this contest.
ODDS
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Astros are favored on the road today, as Houston is getting odds of -125 to win, while the Rangers are listed with a money line of +115 to prevail. The over/under total for the game is listed at 10.5 runs. The road team has won three of the last four meetings between these two.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Today’s pitching matchup features Collin McHugh (3-2, 3.44 ERA) on the mound for the Astros to face Andrew Cashner (10-10, 3.44) of the Rangers. McHugh has allowed one run or less in four of his last five starts. McHugh has 48 strikeouts this year with 16 walks and a 1.26 WHIP. Cashner has allowed eight runs over his last two starts, lasting 10.1 innings. He has 82 strikeouts this season with 60 walks and a 1.31 WHIP.
ASTROS
The Astros have won eight of their last 10 games, all at home. Now they hit the road for this week. Houston is now 95-60 overall and 47-27 on the road. The Astros have won the AL West, but trail Cleveland by 2.5 games for the top seed in the East. Houston is putting up 5.40 runs per game this year while giving up 4.39 per contest. The Astros are being led by Jose Altuve, who is hitting .348 with 38 doubles, 32 stolen bases, 24 home runs and 80 RBI. Josh Reddick is adding 34 doubles and 82 RBI while hitting .314.
RANGERS
Texas is coming off a long road trip and the Rangers were swept at Oakland this weekend, losing three games by a combined score of 13-2. Texas is 76-79 overall and 41-37 at home this season. They are 5.5 games out of the Wild Card race with seven games to play. Texas averages 5.01 runs per game this season while allowing 4.92 per contest. Elvis Andrus is leading Texas with 42 doubles, 20 home runs, 24 stolen bases and 86 RBI. Nomar Mazara is adding 30 doubles, 20 home runs and 97 RBI.
MLB PREDICTIONS
Both teams come into tonight needing a win. Texas is a little more desperate, as it is fighting for its playoff lives while the Astros are fighting for seeding. Still, Cashner hasn’t been great against the Astros this year. In five starts he is 1-4 with a 4.06 ERA. McHugh hasn’t allowed an earned run to the Rangers this season. Houston just has too much to offer in hitting and pitching. I think Cashner struggles again as the Astros pick up another win.
MLB PREDICTIONS: HOUSTON ASTROS -125
