The Texas Rangers (7-6) travel to face off against the Houston Astros (4-10) on Friday, April 12th. This game will be played at Minute Maid Park in Houston and televised on BSSW. Both the Rangers and Astros are looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. First pitch is set for 8:10 ET.

Rangers vs Astros

Heading into their last game vs. the Athletics, the Rangers closed out the series with a 1-0 loss. This was especially tough, as they were the heavy favorite at -207. Offensively, the Rangers only had one fewer hit than the Athletics but didn’t score a run. Their lone bright spot was a double by Adolis Garcia.

Jon Gray got the start for the Rangers and took the loss. He only gave up one run, but it was enough to get the loss. Gray also issued a walk and hit a batter. He was replaced by Joe Barlow in the 8th inning.

After dropping two of three to the Astros at home, the Rangers are now 7-6 overall and are currently tied for 1st place in the AL West. They are just 3-4 in division games, but they have been much better at home (5-5) than on the road (2-1). As an underdog, they have gone 4-1, and they have won three straight games when they are the underdog.

Overall, the Rangers have been solid in series this season, going 2-0-1, and they are 2-1 in series openers. They have also been good in series against division opponents, as they are 1-0-1.

When the Texas Rangers win, they win big, with an average run margin of 5.1 runs in their victories. But when they lose, they lose big, with an average run margin of -2.7 runs. Their run line record is 6-7, and they are 4-1 against the run line as an underdog. They are 2-6 against the run line as a favorite.

With an average combined run total of 8.8 runs per game, the Texas Rangers have seen their games go over the projected total in just five of their 13 games this season. Their games have averaged a combined 9 runs per game, and the over/under line for today’s game against the Houston Astros is set at 9.5 runs. The Rangers have seen their last three games go under the total, and their games have had an average of 8.8 runs per game this season.

Dane Dunning Gets The Start For The Rangers

Dane Dunning and the Rangers are on the road to take on the Astros. Dunning has a win and a loss in his two starts this season. He went 6 1/3 innings in his first start, giving up 3 runs and 4 hits, but he did strike out 7. In his last outing, he took the loss vs. the Astros, going 6 2/3 innings and giving up 3 runs on 4 hits.

Rangers Offense Breakdown

For the Rangers, we have Corey Seager with the highest total hits projection on the team, and his total hits projection is 15th best in the league today. Adolis García is projected to hit a home run, and his home run projection is the best in the league today. Marcus Semien is 2nd on the team in total hits and has the 10th best home run projection in today’s slate of games. Wyatt Langford is 2nd on the team in total hits, and his total hits projection is 20th best in the league today.

Houston closed out their series vs. the Royals with a 13-3 loss. Heading into the game, the Astros were the slight favorite at -133 on the money line. Things really got away from the Astros in the 1st inning, as the Royals scored nine runs in the inning. Houston’s offense scored their only three runs in the 4th.

Hunter Brown got the start for the Astros and took the loss. He only lasted two-thirds of an inning, giving up nine earned runs. Offensively, the Astros had 11 hits but only scored three runs. Yainer Diaz hit a homer for the Astros but went just 2/5.

After dropping three straight games to the Royals, the Astros will look to get back on track as they open a series with the Rangers. Houston is currently in last place in the AL West, trailing the Rangers by 3.5 games. The Astros have struggled at home, going just 2-5, and they have yet to win a game during the day, going 0-3.

So far this season, the Astros have played 14 games, going 4-10. They have not fared well as the favorite, going just 2-10, but they are 2-0 as the underdog.

Despite their struggles to cover the run line overall, the Astros have been a good bet to cover the run line at home, where they are 2-5. They have been favored in 12 of their 14 games and have failed to cover the run line in 10 of those games. They have covered the run line in both games they have been underdogs.

Despite the over/under record for the Astros being below .500 at 5-8, the over has hit in two straight games. The over/under line for today’s game against the Rangers is set at 9.5 runs, which is higher than the average line for Astros games this season. In 57.1% of their games, the line has been set lower than 9.5 runs.

J.P. France Gets The Start For The Astros

J.P. France will be making his 3rd start of the season for the Astros, and he will be facing the Rangers at home. In his first start of the season, he took a loss to the Rangers, going 5 2/3 innings and giving up 3 earned runs. He did have 8 strikeouts in that outing.

Astros Offense Breakdown

For the Astros, we have Jose Altuve with the highest total hits projection on the team, and his total hits projection is 14th best in the league today. Yordan Alvarez has the best home run projection on the team and is 6th in the league in that category. José Abreu is 26th in total hits projections today, and his home run projection is 11th in the league. Kyle Tucker and Yainer Diaz are both 26th in total hits projections today.

Rangers vs Astros Prediction

With the Astros at home, we like them to pick up the win over the Rangers. And with the money line payout sitting at -135, this is the best way to play this one.

Looking at the starting pitchers, our projections have Dane Dunning finishing with just five strikeouts and J.P. France with five as well. However, France is projected to go just four innings, and we have Dunning going six.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.