Astros-Rangers Lines Preview

The fans at Rangers Ballpark will be treated to a game between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers when they take their seats on Thursday. Righthander Brandon Backe will take the mound for the Astros to start this game. Backe is 0-0 this season with a 0.00 ERA. It'll be ace Vicente Padilla toeing the rubber for the Rangers in this contest. Righthander Padilla is 5-3 with a 4.82 ERA so far this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Rangers listed as 162-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game's total is sitting at 10½. The Rangers defeated the Astros for the second time with a 5-4 win on Wednesday, as -150 favorites. The game's nine runs went UNDER the posted over/under (11). Nelson Cruz went 2-for-5 with a solo home run for the Rangers. C.J. Wilson tossed two innings of relief to earn the win. Hunter Pence had four hits, including a solo home run for the Astros, who were +130 underdogs. Jeff Fulchino surrendered the winning run and was tagged with the loss. Current streak: Houston has lost 2 straight games. Texas has won 2 straight games. Team records: Houston: 29-34 SU Texas: 37-27 SU Houston most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing Minnesota are 4-6 After playing Texas are 2-8 After a loss are 6-4 Texas most recently: When playing on Thursday are 2-8 Before playing San Francisco are 3-7 After playing Houston are 6-4 After a win are 4-6 A few trends to consider: Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Texas Houston is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston Texas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston Texas is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games at home Texas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games Next up: Houston at Minnesota, Friday, June 19 Texas at San Francisco, Friday, June 19