Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Pick, Prediction: Can Framber Valdez Rack Up the Strikeouts?
The Houston Astros play the Texas Rangers tonight. Can Framber Valdez rack up the strikeouts? Ben Rajavuori breaks down this game and shares his pick.
Ben Rajavuori - July 26, 2023, 4:17 PM EDT
5 minHouston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Pick, Prediction: Can Framber Valdez Rack Up the Strikeouts?
The Houston Astros have taken both games in this series so far to claw their way back to just one game behind the Texas Rangers, meaning if they win tonight, they will take first place in the AL West from the Rangers. The Astros have won two close ones, and now they will try to close out the sweep behind Framber Valdez.
Astros vs. Rangers Date, Time, Where to Watch
- Date: July 26, 2023
- Time: 8:10 pm ET
- Where to Watch: MLBTV
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Prediction
Framber Valdez enters this game with a 2.94 ERA, despite some recent struggles. Valdez is coming off a five-inning outing where he gave up four earned runs to the Athletics, which should not be a hard outing. Before that, he gave up five earned runs in 6.1 innings against the Angels. That's nine earned runs across 11.1 innings in his last two starts. However, he gets another familiar face in the Rangers tonight, a team he has done very well against.
Valdez is 6-2 with an ERA of 1.75 in 10 starts against the Rangers dating back to the 2020 season. He had a few appearances out of the bullpen before that, but he has started 11 games against them in his career. In those ten starts since 2020, he has recorded a quality start in every single one. Yes, EVERY single one. He gave up five runs last time out and four the time before that, but five of those combined were unearned. He has also had a boatload of strikeouts. He has 76 strikeouts in those meetings, averaging 7.6 per outing against the Rangers. His line tonight is 6.5 with minimal juice on the over.
Valdez has surpassed six strikeouts in five straight meetings with the Rangers, topping out at 11 in one of them. He has been extremely consistent against the Rangers in his career, which may be exactly what he needs after struggling the last two times out. He already has one start against the Rangers this season, and he went six innings while striking out seven.
Valdez has a 2.13 ERA at home this season, and he is averaging just over one strikeout per inning pitched. Considering his line is 6.5, he would just need one strikeout every inning and to have two in one of those innings to hit this line while pitching at least six innings. Considering he has pitched a quality start (six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs) in every start he has had against the Rangers, I like him to do so again tonight. This is a buy-low price on Valdez after a few rough starts, and we are banking on him getting back to form tonight against a team he has dominated. I like Valdez to hit at least seven K's tonight.
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Pick
Pick: Framber Valdez Over 6.5 Strikeouts -108 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
MLB Odds
