Houston Astros vs Texas Rangers Prediction: Can Justin Verlander Keep Up His Cy Young Season?

Houston Astros vs Texas Rangers Prediction: Can Justin Verlander Keep Up His Cy Young Season?

Here is my prediction, pick, and the odds for the Houston Astros vs Texas Rangers game tonight.

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Astros vs. Rangers Start Time and Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: May 21, 2022
• Game Time: 7:10 pm ET
• Where to Watch: MLB Extra Innings 

Click Here for Astros vs Rangers Odds

Astros vs. Rangers Line Movement

1u - Texas Rangers u1.5 Team Total - First 5 Innings (-145) (Bet $145 to win $100)

*Odds available at DraftKings at time of publishing*

I saw this last night at -135 and it’s moving in the wrong direction so we need to take quick action. Verlander is a guy who has been respecting our cash all year. The man has a 1.38 ERA and has pitched 13 straight scoreless innings heading into today’s matchup. Texas is a team who we saw struggle last night against Cristian Javier, I can’t imagine Javier having his way with Texas but them magically figuring it out against Houstons ace. This number is low and designed to be low to scare people away, I have faith Texas has 1 or less run through the first 5 innings.

Let's get into Verlander's history vs these Texas batters. Verlander has plenty of experience against these guys totaling 118 at-bats. In those 118 at-bats, there is a lot to like for our bet. He has only allowed 24 hits which are only good for a .203 batting average and has only allowed five RBIs. Only allowing five RBIs in that many at-bats would suggest one run in every 23.6 batters, I think the most he sees today in the first 5 innings is 18-20. Verlander's earned runs prop is also 1.5 but then you have to possibly sweat the sixth and seventh inning as well, let's just worry about the first 5.

Verlander owns Texas, Verlander has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball and Texas hits .217 against righties as a team as it is. Why do we think they will score two or more in the first 5? I could maybe see one fluke home run but no rallies should go down. Another thing I absolutely loved was that Verlander only walked one Texas batter in their 118 at-bats against him. No free bases today, I see 1.5 walks for him but it’s heavily juiced, could be a good parlay piece though. Let's hope Justin dominates Texas the same way he did a month ago when he only allowed one run-through seven.

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