The Houston Astros head to Globe Life Park in Arlington to open a three-game series against the Texas Rangers, so here’s the best betting pick for this AL West showdown with the first pitch at 8:05 PM ET.

The Astros have dominated the Rangers so far this season, winning nine of their 12 encounters, though Texas swept a three-game home set back in May. Anyway, the Astros are heavy favorites for Friday’s clash, according to Bookmaker Sportsbook. Houston will search for its sixth straight victory over Texas.

The Stars won their last two series   

The Houston Astros improved to 75-52 on the season following a 6-5 winning to Kansas City in ten innings. They beat the Royals in a three-game series, 2-1, as well as they did against the Seattle Mariners last weekend. 

The Astros are just 7-6 in their previous 13 outings despite a 3.23 ERA in that stretch. Also, the Astros have recorded a nice .282/.346/.460 triple-slash, but they couldn’t get more than seven wins while losing four times against the Royals in the process.

Jake Odorizzi will get the starting call Friday, and he’s 6-6 with a 4.52 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 17 starts and one relief appearance in 2021. The 31-year-old righty hasn’t been sharp as of late, allowing three or more earned runs in five of their previous seven outings. He bounced back last Saturday, tossing 5.2 frames of a one-run ball in a 15-1 win to Seattle while striking out eight on the night.

The Rangers have a -149 run differential 

The Texas Rangers have caused a couple of upsets on the road in the last few days, beating the Boston Red Sox 10-1 and the Cleveland Indians 7-3. However, excluding their Thursday’s clash in Cleveland, the Rangers have lost 15 of their previous 20 games overall.

Texas is 4-8 in its last 12 outings, tallying a 4.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and a .246 batting average against. On the other side of the ball, the Rangers have scored 52 runs in that span, posting a .265/.305/.406 batting line.

The Rangers haven’t announced who’ll get the starting call Friday against the Astros. Dane Dunning was expected to toe the slab, but the 26-year-old righty is struggling with an ankle injury and will spend some time on the IL. The Rangers will have to lean on their bullpen that has registered a 3.49 ERA and 4.84 FIP in the last two weeks of action.

Trends:

Houston:

  • 5-2 in the last seven games overall
  • 5-0 in the last five games against Texas 

Texas:

  • 5-15 in the last 20 games overall
  • 1-4 in the last five games at home 

Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Pick

The Astros will meet the Rangers seven times until the end of the regular season. Houston is topping the AL West, five games ahead of the closest rivals, so the Astros will look to bolster their lead and satisfy the odds in this matchup.

The Rangers have struggled mightily at the plate for most of the season. Even if they hit well against Jake Odorizzi, the Astros will turn to their bullpen that has a 3.92 ERA and 3.73 FIP over the last couple of weeks. Houston is a way better offensive team than the Strangers, so take the visitors at moneyline odds.

Pick: Take Houston Astros   

The Total:

The current Rangers have a poor .582 OPS in 20 at-bats against Jake Odorizzi, but they should score at least a couple of runs in this one, considering Odorizzi’s patchy form. On the other side, the Astros will look to extend their solid offensive form, so betting on the over seems like the right move.

I would stick with the Astros to win, though the over has hit in eight of the last 11 meetings between Houston and Texas, including two of their previous three duels at Globe Life Field.

Pick: Go over