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It’s the 71-62 Houston Astros versus the 80-54 Texas Rangers in the first game of a three game set in Arlington, Texas tonight. The first pitch at Globe Life Park in Arlington is scheduled for 8:10 PM ET.
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In their last game the Astros beat the Oakland A’s to complete the three game sweep in the series. In the series the Houston pitching was solid only giving up a total of four runs in the three games. In their last game the Rangers won their 5th straight with a 14-1 blowout win over the Seattle Mariners. In the game Texas’ Rougned Odor hit two HR and this was after hitting a game-ending HR in the previous game.
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Houston has won three in a row, but they are still 8.5 games out of first place in the AL West. However, they are only one game back of the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles for the 2nd AL Wild Card. The Astros rank tied for 13th in the Majors in runs scored and 9th in team ERA.
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The Rangers are hot winners of seven of their last eight games including their last five. They have the best record in the AL and the 2nd best record in the Majors. Texas ranks 8th in runs scored and only 20th in team ERA. In their five game win streak their lineup has been getting it done totaling 37 runs.
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<div class="heading">
Pitching Match Up
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<strong>Houston:</strong> Doug Fister (12-9, 3.60 ERA)
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<strong>Texas:</strong> A.J. Griffin (6-3, 4.39 ERA)
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Doug Fister goes for the Astros tonight and in his last outing he gave up two earned runs in only four innings in a 10-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Houston has lost two of his last three starts. Fister is only 4.6 with a 4.09 ERA in his last 12 starts, but in that span he did have a solid start against the Rangers only giving up one run in six innings of work in a 3-2 Houston loss. The Astros are 4-0 in Fister’s last four road starts.
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A.J. Griffin gets the call for the Rangers and in his last outing he had a good one not giving up any earned runs in six innings in a 7-0 win over the Cleveland Indians. Texas had lost his previous two starts. Griffin has only started one game against the Astros this season back in April when he went six innings and gave up two earned runs in a 7-4 Texas win. The Rangers are 5-2 in Griffin’s last seven home starts.
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<div class="heading">
Betting Angles
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The Rangers are 40-13 in their last 53 home games against the Astros.
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In the last 6 games between these teams the Over record is 5-0-1.
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This season the Rangers are 45-21 at home and the Astros are 32-33 on the road.
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<strong>Straight Up / Over/Under / Run Line Records</strong>
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<strong>Houston Astros </strong>71-62 SU / O/U 59-66 / Run Line W/L 60-73
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<strong>Texas Rangers</strong>: 80-54 SU / O/U 65-61 / Run Line W/L 72-62
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<div class="heading">
Houston at Texas Key Betting Trends
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HOU is 6-1 in their last 7 overall.
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HOU is 5-1 in their last 6 road games.
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HOU has an Over record of 5-2-1 in their last 8 road games.
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TEX is 5-0 in their last 5 overall.
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TEX is 43-18 in their last 61 home games.
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TEX has an Over record of 8-3-1 in their last 12 games.
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<div class="heading">
Key Player Injuries
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<strong>ASTROS</strong>
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[3B] 07/29/2016 - Luis Valbuena 15-day DL (7/27) ( Hamstring )
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[P] 08/03/2016 - Lance McCullers 15-day DL (8/2) ( Elbow )
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[LF] 08/13/2016 - Preston Tucker 15-day DL (8/11) ( Shoulder )
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[1B] 09/01/2016 - Marwin Gonzalez left last game, "?" Friday vs. Texas Rangers ( Hamstring )
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<strong>RANGERS</strong>
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<ul>
<li>
[RF] 08/15/2016 - Shin-Soo Choo 15-day DL (8/15) ( Forearm )
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[DH] 07/20/2016 - Prince Fielder 15-day DL (7/19), out for season ( Neck ) )
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[P] 08/18/2016 - Lucas Harrell 15-day DL (8/17) ( Groin ) )
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[P] 08/27/2016 - Jeremy Jeffress placed on restricted list ( Suspension ) )
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[P] 08/24/2016 - Shawn Tolleson 60-day DL (8/23) ( Back ) )
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[P] 05/28/2016 - Tanner Scheppers 60-day DL (3/25) ( Knee ) )
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[P] 06/26/2016 - Colby Lewis 60-day DL (6/22) ( Back )
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