Astros vs. Rangers Prediction, Computer Picks, Odds & Pitching Matchup 9/7/2022

The Houston Astros (87-49) are -283 favorites when they meet the Texas Rangers (59-76) on Wednesday at 8:10 PM ET. Christian Vazquez has 99 hits on the season and will hope to hit his milestone 100th once the game begins at Minute Maid Park. Houston’s Cristian Javier and Texas’ Cole Ragans have been named the starters for this contest.

Astros vs. Rangers Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Astros vs. Rangers

We have the Rangers on the moneyline at +230 on the moneyline as our best bet in this contest after looking at all of the key statistics and trends for this matchup. Our computer prediction sees the scoring going over the total of 8 runs.

Our computer pick: Texas Rangers (+230) and Over (8)

Astros vs. Rangers Game Info

• Houston Astros probable starting pitcher: Cristian Javier
• Texas Rangers probable starting pitcher: Cole Ragans
• Game Day: Wednesday, September 7, 2022
• Game Time: 8:10 PM ET
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Stadium: Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros vs Texas Rangers Pitching Matchup

Astros Starter Cristian Javier

• The Astros will send Javier (8-9) to the mound to make his 21st start of the season. He is 8-9 with a 3.07 ERA and 157 strikeouts through 120 1/3 innings pitched.
• The right-hander’s most recent time out came on Wednesday against the Texas Rangers, when he tossed five innings, surrendering three earned runs while giving up four hits.
• In 25 games this season, the 25-year-old has an ERA of 3.07, with 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings. Opponents are hitting .182 against him.
• Javier has collected eight quality starts this season.
• Javier has pitched five or more innings in a game 16 times this season entering this matchup.
• He will face off against a Rangers team that is batting .242 as a unit (16th in MLB). It is also slugging a collective .396 (13th in MLB) with 162 total home runs (ninth in MLB).
• Head-to-head against the Rangers this season, Javier has pitched 22 innings, giving up eight earned runs on 16 hits while striking out 27.

Rangers Starter Cole Ragans

• Ragans has been named the starter for the Rangers and will make his first start this season.
• The left-hander is making his first start of the year. The 24-year-old did not make an appearance on the mound last season.
• The Astros rank 13th in MLB with a .245 batting average this season. They have a team slugging percentage that ranks seventh in the league (.418) and 175 home runs.

Astros Betting Picks & Insights

• This season, the Astros have won 79 out of the 116 games, or 68.1%, in which they’ve been favored.
• Houston has a record of 6-2 in games where sportsbooks favor them by at least -283 on the moneyline.
• The oddsmakers’ moneyline implies a 73.9% chance of a victory for the Astros.
• So far this season, Houston and its opponents have hit the over in 50 of their 137 games with a total.
• The Astros are 74-63-0 ATS in their 137 games with a spread this season.

Rangers Betting Picks & Insights

• The Rangers have won in 38, or 45.2%, of the 84 contests they have been named as odds-on underdogs in this year.
• Texas has played as an underdog of +230 or more just one time this year and came away with a win in that game.
• The Rangers have an implied victory probability of 30.3% according to the moneyline set for this matchup.
• Texas’ games have gone over the total in 66 of their 136 opportunities.
• The Rangers have an against the spread mark of 74-62-0 in 136 games with a line this season.

Astros Leaders & Batting Stats

• Alex Bregman is hitting .266 with 34 doubles, 20 home runs and 74 walks.
• In all of the majors, Bregman ranks 48th in homers and 24th in RBI.
• Bregman takes a hitting streak of three games into this game. In his last five games he is hitting .222 with three walks and an RBI.
• Yordan Alvarez has shown off his power as he paces his team with 31 home runs with a team-best .292 batting average.
• Alvarez ranks ninth in homers and 16th in RBI on the year.
• Alvarez carries a five-game streak with at least one hit into this contest. In his last five games he is batting .263 with a double, two walks and three RBI.
• Jose Altuve has 33 doubles, 24 home runs and 54 walks while hitting .289.
• Altuve has at least one base hit in seven games in a row. In his last 10 games he is batting .341 with five doubles, three home runs, four walks and seven RBI.
• Kyle Tucker has made the most of his opportunities as he leads his team with 86 runs batted in.
• Tucker is riding a three-game hitting streak into this one. In his last five games he is batting .263 with a home run, a walk and two RBI.

Rangers Leaders & Batting Stats

• Corey Seager paces the Rangers with 29 home runs.
• Among all batters in the big leagues, Seager’s home run total is 12th and his RBI tally is 34th.
• Marcus Semien is batting .242 with 24 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs and 47 walks.
• Among all MLB batters, Semien ranks 39th in homers and 41st in RBI.
• Nate Lowe has accumulated a team-high batting average of .304.
• Adolis Garcia has driven in the most runs for the Rangers with 84 runs batted in.