The TEXAS and the HOUSTON will both be gunning for a victory on 5/12/2019 at 2:10 PM when they meet in a game matchup.
TEXAS vs HOUSTON
GAME: Texas Rangers (17-20) at Houston Astros (25-15)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 12 – 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
| ROT | TEAM | PS | OU | RL |
| 975 | TEXAS | 9.5 (-240) (-215) |
9.5 (-110) | 195 -215 |
| 976 | HOUSTON |
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
LINE: -215
PREDICTION: Rangers 7, Astros 3
Oddsmakers currently have the HOUSTON listed as -215 point favorites versus the TEXAS, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.5.
The Houston Astros proved they could thrive offensively without one of their top hitters last time out and hope to do so again on Sunday as they attempt to complete a four-game sweep of the visiting Texas Rangers. Houston pounded out 13 hits on Saturday en route to an 11-4 victory without Jose Altuve, who suffered a strained left hamstring a day earlier.
A three-time batting champion, two-time stolen-base leader and former American League MVP, Altuve was placed on the 10-day injured list following Saturday’s contest. His replacement at second base contributed to Saturday’s win as Aledmys Diaz belted a grand slam to back a 12-strikeout effort by Gerrit Cole and help the Astros to their fourth consecutive victory. Hunter Pence and Ronald Guzman homered for the Rangers, who are 1-4 on their nine-game road trip. Pence has hit safely in five of his last six contests, recording four homers and 11 RBIs in that span.
| Tony’s Pick | TEAM |
| TEXAS | 195 |
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Adrian Sampson (0-2, 4.41 ERA) vs. Astros RH Corbin Martin (ML Debut)
Sampson remains in search of his first major-league victory as he makes his third consecutive start, his fifth of the season and the 10th of his career. The 27-year-old native of Washington is coming off back-to-back turns against Pittsburgh – a no-decision at home on April 30 after scattering five hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings and a road loss on Tuesday in which he yielded five runs and seven hits over five frames. Sampson has made one start and one relief appearance versus Houston in his career, going 0-1 while giving up three runs and 11 hits over 10 1/3 innings.
Martin is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to make his major-league debut in place of the struggling Collin McHugh, who is moving to the bullpen. A native of Houston, the 23-year-old Martin was a second-round pick out of Texas A&M in the 2017 draft. Martin has made four starts and one relief appearance for Round Rock this season, going 1-1 with a 1.48 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Astros have outscored the Rangers 18-6 over the first three games of the series.
2. Rangers RHP Shawn Kelley (infection) threw a bullpen session on Saturday and expects to be activated from the 10-day IL on Thursday.
3. Texas signed RHP Josh Fields, who spent the last 2 1/2 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Nashville.
PREDICTION: Rangers 7, Astros 3
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