Collin McHugh (17-7, 3.93 ERA) and Derek Holland (3-3, 4.75 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Houston Astros (80-74) and the Texas Rangers (84-69) at Minute Maid Park. The Rangers won the last game 6-2 and Texas leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 1:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sep. 26 and can be seen on FOX.
McHugh pitched 8.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering one run, striking out eight and walking two in a 5-1 win over the Athletics. Evan Gattis (.243, 64 Rs, 26 HRs, 85 RBIs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run. Holland went 4.1 innings, surrendering seven runs, striking out three and walking five in a 9-2 defeat to the Mariners in his last outing. Mitch Moreland (.284, 50 Rs, 23 HRs, 82 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run.
Houston is a -140 favorite against Texas and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Astros have an overall money line of -610 and a record as the favorite of 50-43. Within its division, Houston has an 18-26 record as favorite and a 34-37 record SU. The Astros are one of the best in the MLB in terms of home runs with 210. Houston is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 113 bases. As for the pitchers, opposing offenses that come to Minute Maid Park have been stifled by the Astros, who have a team ERA of only 3.10 at home. The Astros are the fifth-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.20 so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Astros, who rank fifth in the AL in strikeouts per home game with 8.6.
In games where it is the underdog, Texas has a 59-53 record and an overall money line of +3,144. They have managed to pull off a perfect record over their last ten games while playing as the underdog, and have an 8-2 SU record over the same span. Offensively, the Rangers have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.6 runs per game by averaging 7.3 during that stretch.
The Rangers have controlled the season series, 13-4. The Astros have a 27-28 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Holland takes the mound. McHugh (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rangers, who have a 53-41 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou, O/U – Over
Notes
For the 16th time this season, the Astros registered at least two errors in a game.
The Astros are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Rangers have a 30-38 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
It looks like the Rangers have a slight leg up on the Astros, as the Rangers have won their last four games while the Astros have lost their last three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Astros are 59-18. The Rangers have a 63-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 10th in runs, Houston has earned 672 this season. Texas ranks fourth with 700 runs.
Ranking 11th, Houston is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 461 this season. Texas ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 470.
The Astros are 67-45 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Rangers are 62-28 when they hit at least one homer.
