Framber Valdez, one of this season’s toughest pitchers, leads the way for the Houston Astros (-120) as they host the Texas Rangers (+100) at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday. The early total has been set at 7.5 with the over a -115 favorite. The Astros (87-48) took Monday’s series opener 1-0, their fourth straight head-to-head victory and 13th in 17 games this season. Hunter Brown threw six scoreless innings for the win, and Rafael Montero picked up his 12th save with a scoreless ninth. Martin Maldonado went 1 for 3 with one RBI in the win. Marcus Semien was 1 for 4 with a double for the Rangers (58-76), stretching his on-base streak to 17 games.
ON THE MOUND
Glenn Otto (6-8, 4.82 ERA) is set to start for Texas. The right-hander allowed three runs over five innings in his last start, a 9-8 road defeat against the Red Sox on Thursday. He scattered four hits while striking out eight and walking one in the no-decision. Over three previous starts against the Astros this season, Otto has allowed six earned runs over 15.1 innings (0-1, 3.52). He has struck out 12 and walked nine. Lefty Valdez (14-4, 2.63 ERA) is on the mound for Houston. He has made four appearances against the Rangers this season, all as the starter, giving up four runs (3 ER) over 28 innings (3-0, 0.96) with 28 strikeouts and five walks. In his last start on August 30, Valdez got the win on the road against the Rangers. He threw eight innings and gave up two runs on seven hits, striking out eight, in the 4-2 victory. The left-hander is tied for second in the AL in wins.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Texas has averaged only 2.8 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.5, while slashing worse across the board (.216/.284/.299). Against lefties like Valdez this season, the Rangers have a .762 OPS. Nathaniel Lowe is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a .986 OPS in 139 at-bats. Houston is averaging only 4.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.5 for the season. The ‘Stros have a .729 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .909 OPS over 303 at-bats, Alex Bregman has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Texas is on a five-game losing streak away from Globe Life Field, bringing their record to 30-38 in 2022. The Rangers have scored 4.7 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.2 runs. Houston has gone 44-20 at Minute Maid Park this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 3.1. In the last 10 games between the AL West rivals at Minute Maid Park, Houston is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 3.8-2.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Astros lead the AL West by 11 games over the Mariners. The Rangers are fourth in the AL West, 28 games behind the Astros.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros (-275)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
