Astros vs Rangers Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 15 (9/15): MLB

Astros vs Rangers Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 15 (9/15): MLB

Credit: photo by Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

 
Odds
Time 8:05 p.m. EST
Astros money line -210
Astros run line -1.5 (-130)
Rangers money line +170
Rangers run line +1.5 (+110)
Over / under 9 (+100)

 

Key stats
  Astros Rangers
Record 85-60 54-90
Road / home record 39-33 32-38
Last 10 record 5-6 7-3
Streak 1L 1W
Over / under record 76-62-6 70-66-8
Runs / game 5.29 3.94
Runs allowed / game 4.01 4.97

 

Preview

Tonight the Astros will matchup with the Rangers. This will be the 3rd game of this 4 game series as both teams have split the first two games.  The Astros enter this game with a 6.5 game lead on the Mariners in the AL West. They should be able to strengthen that lead in a plus matchup against a bad Rangers team.  The Rangers come into this game on a bit of a roll of late going 7-3 in their last 10 games, albeit being one of the leagues worst teams. They sit firmly out of the playoffs and will look to continue this run they've been on to end the season.

Pitching matchup

Astros

Jose Urquidy (6-3, 3.51 ERA) will be on the mound for the Astros when they take on the Rangers. Urquidy enters this game with a 1.02 WHIP and 4.65 XFIP.  This season he carries a 21.5% strikeout rate and a low 4.8% walk rate. He has reverse splits this year as right handed hitters have been able to get to him with some hard contact and power, his strikeout rate also drops to 19.1% in the split, compared to a 25.2% against left handed hitters.  This will be his 3rd start after going on the IL in June. In his 2 starts back he has gone 7.1 innings, allowing 4 earned runs, whiles striking out 6 hitters.  He threw 4.1 innings against the Padres and followed that up with 3 innings against the Mariners, allowing 2 earned runs in each game. Depending how much the Astros want to push him will determine how long he pitches in this one, I think he is good for 5 innings but with Astros in a good position for the postseason they could take another start to ease him back in.  

Rangers

Kohei Arihara (2-3, 5.89 ERA) will be on the mound for the Rangers when they take on the visiting Astros. Arihara enters this game with a 1.36 WHIP and an ugly 5.82 XFIP.  This season he boasts a low 14.6% strikeout rate and 8.3% walk rate.  Arihara has been hit hard and has given up premium contact and power to both sides of the plate.  This will also be his 3rd start after hitting the IL in May. In his 2 starts since his return he has gone 8 innings, allowing 3 earned runs (2 HR's), while striking out 6 hitters. He threw 3.1 innings against the Carindals and went 4.2 innings against the Diamondbacks.  He should be able to go 5 innings in this one depending on how much the coaching staff wants to push him.  He will have his work cut out for him in a matchup against one of leagues top offenses.

Prediction

Both of these pitchers are coming into this barely off the IL and may have their pitches capped.  I see the Astros being able to get an easy win here against a bad team in the Rangers and putting up plenty of runs in the process.

PICK: Astros -1.5 (-130) Over 9 (+100)

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