Astros-Rangers Pointers

The Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Rangers Ballpark in an interleague contest.

Ace righthander Roy Oswalt will take the mound for the Astros to start this game. Oswalt is 4-3 this season with a 5.05 ERA.

Oswalt's opponent in this one will be Vicente Padilla. The Rangers righthander has a 3.23 ERA to go along with a 5-2 record this season.

NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Rangers listed as 105-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game's total has not yet been posted.

The Rangers pounded out 17 hits and defeated the Astros 16-8 on Friday, as a -110 pick'em. The combined 24 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (10.5).

Josh Hamilton was a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate for the Rangers, belting two home runs for five RBIs in the win.

Darin Erstad had two hits and drove in two runs in a losing effort for the Astros. Wesley Wright surrendered two runs in relief and was tagged with the loss.

Team records:
Houston: 24-19 SU
Texas: 21-22 SU

Houston most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Texas are 3-7
After playing Texas are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4

Texas most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Houston are 5-5
After playing Houston are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Houston is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games
Houston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Houston is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Texas
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas
Texas is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
Texas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
Texas is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home
Texas is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Houston

Next up:
Texas home to Houston, Sunday, May 18

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