Texas Rangers at Houston Astros MLB Betting Odds Report

There are a number of big match-ups coming this weekend, many of which may well prove to be decisive in setting up the final playoff picture. There is perhaps no series bigger than the one that sees the Texas Rangers head to Minute Maid Park to face the Houston Astros, with the division crown potentially on the line. Game 1 of the series goes on Friday night with the Astros listed as slight favorites on MLB betting lines.

Closer Look at the Texas Rangers at Houston Astros MLB Betting Odds Report & Game Preview

Date: Friday, September 25, 2015Time: 8:10PMVenue: Minute Maid ParkOpening Line: Houston -130The Rangers (82-69) know that their hold on the division can become pretty much unbreakable if they can put together a series win over the weekend. They have a 3 game lead over the Astros in the AL West, and simply holding onto that would make it pretty darn tough for Houston to overcome it in the final week of the season. You can bet that the Rangers will be looking for more than just standing pat in this one, though, as they have been in a rich vein of form that has seen them develop something of a killer instinct coming down the stretch. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games, and are scoring runs for fun right now. The division title is now theirs to lose, and they do not look like a team in the mood to be charitable. Yovani Gallardo (12-11, 3.41 ERA) is coming into this one having lost back to back starts.If the Houston Astros (80-73) do end up missing out on the postseason, we can all go ahead and call it a total collapse. This was a team that looked comfortable heading into the month of September, but who have complied a dismal 7-14 record to this point in the month. Teams who are serious about making a World Series run are usually running into form at this point, not clinging for dear life to the final Wild Card spot. The fact of the matter is that a loss in this series might not just mean that the division is dead to the Astros, it may also mean that they are on the outside looking in at the playoffs. The Twins and Angels are both breathing down their neck, and Minnesota in particular are looking good. Scott Kazmir (7-10, 2.73 ERA) will get the start for the Astros.

Key Betting Trends

Texas is 9-2 SU in its last 11 gamesThe total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas’s last 5 gamesTexas is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the roadThe total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas’s last 6 games on the roadTexas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing HoustonHouston is 3-7 SU in its last 10 gamesThe total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston’s last 9 gamesHouston is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing TexasThe total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston’s last 9 games when playing TexasHouston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Texas

Consider This Before Placing Your Bets

The Astros have been very good at home this season, but they have struggled mightily against the Rangers, going 4-12 so far this season. Desperation can help a team raise its game, though, and I think Houston gets the win in this one.