Javan Shouey
We have a full slate of MLB action on this Saturday and several interesting matchups worth tuning into. From a betting perspective I am seeing solid value on the Texas Rangers throughout the first 5 innings of their contest with the Houston Astros. Let’s dive in!
Texas Rangers first 5 innings ML (-115)
Odds available at DraftKings sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -130 odds. Risking 1u.
The American League West is a tightly contested division through the first month and a half of the regular season, and today’s contest between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers is a massive matchup with both teams just 1.5 games behind Seattle for first place in the division. Today’s matchup between the divisional rivals from Texas features a starting pitcher matchup of Tyler Mahle and Ronel Blanco. Mahle has been tremendous in his role for the Rangers, posting a 1.47 ERA through his first 9 starts spanning a combined 49.0 innings of work. He has allowed 2 or fewer earned runs in each start while his club has 6 of his 9 starts. Texas starters have been electric in this series with Jacob deGrom tossing 8.0 scoreless frames and Nathan Eovaldi posting 5.2 innings of scoreless ball. Active Astros hitters have just 50 combined plate appearances against Mahle during his career, and in that sample they have posted an OPS of only .584. Their lack of familiarity should help the pitcher early on in this matchup, so I anticipate a strong outing from the Rangers’ right-hander.
Blanco tossed 8.0 innings of scoreless ball with only 3 baserunners allowed and 11 strikeouts in his last start against the Cincinnati Reds, but I am not buying him today against the Rangers. In each of his previous 5 starts Blanco allowed a home run, and he can also tend to get wild with multiple walks allowed in 6 of his 8 starts. When on his game Blanco can be very hard to get to, but he is the inferior starter in this matchup in my opinion. Texas hitters have also picked things up a bit with a new approach following their change of hitting coaches. What had been an overly aggressive lineup now has a drastically lowered chase rate; that should benefit them in their matchup with Blanco. Active Ranger hitters have a .769 OPS in their 74 combined plate appearances vs Blanco, so I expect the Rangers to hold a lead through 5 innings of play.
