Astros vs. Rangers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, April 16, 2023

April 16, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

Mauricio Dubon (10 games) and Nate Lowe (10 games) will look to add one more to their lengthy hitting streaks when the Houston Astros (7-8) and Texas Rangers (8-6) meet Sunday at 7:10 PM ET, live on ESPN from Minute Maid Park. Dubon and the Astros are favored with -201 odds on the moneyline.

Houston’s Framber Valdez gets the start, and he’ll go against Texas’ Andrew Heaney.

Astros vs. Rangers Odds

Astros odds to win: -201
Rangers odds to win: +169
Spread: Astros -1.5
Total: 8 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Sunday, April 16, 2023
Time: 7:10 PM ET
TV: ESPN

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Who Will Win Astros vs. Rangers?

Astros and Rangers Betting Trends

The Astros have won 53.8% of the games this season when they were favored on the moneyline (7-6).

Houston has a record of 1-2 when it has played as moneyline favorites with odds of -201 or shorter (33.3% winning percentage).

This season, the Rangers have won three out of the six games in which they’ve been the underdog.

Texas has not entered a game this season as a bigger underdog on the moneyline than the +169 odds on it winning this game.

The Astros have had an over/under set by bookmakers 15 times, and have combined with opponents to go over the total in 10 of those games (10-5-0).

Games involving the Rangers have gone over the total set by bookmakers in nine of 14 chances this season.

Astros Stats & Insights

The Astros have the No. 7 offense in MLB play scoring 5.1 runs per game (76 total runs).

Houston averages 1.1 home runs per game to rank 13th in MLB play with 16 total home runs .

The Astros have the 12th-ranked batting average in the majors (.254).

Houston strikes out 8.4 times per game, the ninth-best mark in the majors.

The Astros pitching staff is eighth in the majors with a collective 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

Houston has the sixth-ranked team ERA across all MLB pitching staffs (3.66).

Rangers Stats & Insights

The Rangers are among the highest scoring teams in the league, ranking 10th with 75 total runs this season.

Texas has hit 15 homers this season, which ranks 19th in the majors.

The Rangers’ .245 batting average ranks 16th in the league this season.

Texas has shown good bat-to-ball skills at the plate this season with the sixth-best strikeout rate (8.4 per game) among MLB offenses.

The Rangers average 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings as a pitching staff, sixth-most in the league.

Texas has the 10th-best ERA (4.06) in the majors this season.

Astros Key Players to Watch

Valdez gets the start for the Astros, his fourth of the season. He is 1-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings pitched.

Kyle Tucker is batting .314 this season with a team-high four home runs.

Yordan Alvarez leads Houston in home runs with four and runs batted in with 20.

Alex Bregman has 12 hits this season and a slash line of .203/.338/.322.

Chas McCormick is batting .275 with an OBP of .383 and a slugging percentage of .500 this season.

Rangers Key Players to Watch

Heaney heads to the mound for the Rangers to make his third start of the season, seeking his second win.

Lowe is batting .276 with six doubles, two home runs and four walks.

Adolis Garcia has hit three home runs with 14 runs batted in. Both pace his team.

Marcus Semien is hitting .237 with four doubles, a home run and three walks.

Josh Jung is hitting .275 with two doubles, two home runs and four walks.

Astros and Rangers Injuries

Astros: Jose Altuve: 10 Day IL (Thumb), Michael Brantley: 10 Day IL (Shoulder), Lance McCullers Jr.: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Parker Mushinski: 15 Day IL (Spine), Chas McCormick: day-to-day (Eye)

Rangers: Leody Taveras: 10 Day IL (Oblique), Mitch Garver: 10 Day IL (Knee), Corey Seager: 10 Day IL (Hamstring), Spencer Howard: 60 Day IL (Lat), Brett Martin: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Jake Odorizzi: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Glenn Otto: 60 Day IL (Lat), Jon Gray: day-to-day (Forearm)