Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros: Odds, Analysis, MLB Betting Pick

The Houston Astros (24-15) return home to Minute Maid Park from a fairly successful six-game road trip to host the Texas Rangers (15-24) on Friday. The Astros are coming off a three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics after losing two of three to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

MLB betting line: The Astros opened as -248 favorites (wager $248 to win $100); the total is at 7.5 runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. Line updates and matchup report.

MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 4.9-1.1, Astros. MLB picks on every game.

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Why the Rangers Can Pay on the MLB Lines

Texas won two of three games at Houston in April, cashing as a big underdog both times, according to the OddsShark MLB Database. The Rangers are also coming off a series win over the Detroit Tigers at home, with each victory decided by one run.

Overall, they have been playing better lately, with a 7-7 mark in their past 14 games. Lefty Cole Hamels (1-4, 3.94 ERA) has pitched well enough to win in his past three starts. Hamels gave up just two earned runs and a maximum of five hits while striking out five or more every time out during that stretch, but he failed to pick up a victory for Texas.

Why the Astros Can Pay on the MLB Lines

The Astros have won eight of their past 11 meetings with the Rangers, going 4-3 in the first seven this season despite losing the past two. They will be sending Justin Verlander (4-1, 1.17 ERA) to the mound off his first setback of the year on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.

At Arizona, Verlander allowed only one earned run and three hits in six innings with three walks and eight strikeouts, but it was not enough in a 3-1 loss. In fact, Houston has scored one run or less the three times the team has lost with Verlander in 2018, going 5-0 when scoring two runs or more to support him.

Smart Betting Pick

Verlander has been outstanding in two starts versus Texas this season, going 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA. However, the Astros split those games, with the Rangers rallying for a 3-1 victory in 10 innings on April 15 after he pitched the first eight innings.

Meanwhile, Hamels has gone 0-1 in two starts against Houston with a 3.86 ERA, but he has been better on the road this year overall, with a 1-1 mark and 3.22 ERA in four outings. Look for Texas to pull off an upset in the series opener.

MLB Betting Trends

Texas is 2-4 in its past six games.

The total has gone over in seven of Texas' past 10 games.

Texas is 3-8 in its past 11 games against Houston.

All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.