The Houston Astros had all off season to bask in the glory of their first ever World Series title. Now, the title defense begins. Houston kicks off its title defense with an in-state trip to Globe Life Park to take on the Texas Rangers. The Astros owned the Rangers last year and were a better road team than home team, both good signs for those looking for Houston—who sends Justin Verlander to the hill—to get off to a hot start against a Rangers’ team that’s lacking a clear sense of direction and headed by a declining Cole Hamels on the bump.
First pitch for the game between the Cubs and Marlins is scheduled for Thursday, March 29, 2018, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Globe Life Park. The matchup will be shown on ESPN.
You can bet on MLB odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
Odds Analysis
Houston went 21-8 in its final 29 games of the 2017 regular season and rode that hot streak through October to their first ever World Series championship.
In the offseason, the Astros did even more to improve the team. The August acquisition of Verlander help catapult the team last year and the Gerrit Cole addition this winter improves the rotation—and moral—that much more.
Typically starting on the road is a hindrance for team, but the Astros were better on the road than at home last season, though they thrived anywhere. Away from Minute Maid Park, Houston was 53-28. Texas, on the other hand, was just barely over-.500 at home at 41-40.
The Rangers managed just seven wins in 19 games against Houston in 2017. That, however, comes on the heels of a 15-4 record against the Astros in 2016.
Probable Pitchers
After only five regular season starts and six postseason appearances for Houston, Justin Verlander gets the start on his first Opening Day outside of a Tigers’ uniform.
Last year’s ALCS MVP, Verlander absolutely dominated in his brief stint in Houston, going 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA and only 17 hits in 34 regular season innings. In the postseason, he was nearly as dominant. Overall, in his 11 games since joining Houston, Verlander is 9-1, allowing 13 runs in 70.2 innings.
Verlander did get off to a slow start with the Tigers last April. He’s also posted a 4.00 ERA in 59 games prior to May. The first month of the season is traditionally the worst for the former Tiger ace. That could leave him open to allowing a run or two more than normal.
Nevertheless, Verlander is still an elite starter, one of the game’s best. The Cy Young runner up in 2016 after a 16-9 season with a 3.04 ERA followed that up with a top-5 finish in 2017 after going 15-8 with a 3.36 ERA combined between Detroit and Houston.
The 35-year old is getting up there in age, but still manages to deliver. He’s remade himself a couple times throughout his career, adjusting to diminished stuff, but still manages to consistently find a way to win games.
On the other side of this matchup, the Rangers will turn to their own ace, Cole Hamels.
Hamels is a year younger than Verlander, but father time seems to be taking a bigger toll on the lefty.
The southpaw’s 2017 season was certainly his worst since 2009 and likely the worst of his career. He was 11-6 which is strong, but pitched to a 4.20 ERA and 4.62 FIP. Considering Globe Life Park is a hitters’ haven, his numbers are still solid, but no longer ace-level like Verlander.
On part of Hamels’ game that is like Verlander though is his tendency to get off to a cool start. He’s been hit around a bit this spring while struggling with command so that’s also worth keeping an eye on in this MLB betting showdown.
Live Betting
Five of the six top offenses in the American League last year made the playoffs. The one exception was the Rangers.
While Houston scored the most runs in baseball with 896 and out-homered every team outside of New York, Texas still managed to hold its own at the dish, ranking fifth in runs scored in the AL.
In 2017, Texas still qualified as an elite offense though they did score nearly 100 fewer runs than the Astros.
That says more about the dominance of the Astros than about the Rangers, but in a head-to-head contest, the comparison is important.
Texas still as a good lineup. It has speed in Delino DeShields Jr. and Elvin Andrus. It has power in Joey Gallo, Rougned Odor, Adrian Beltre and Nomar Mazara. It also has plenty of swing-and-miss.
Gallo and Odor each barely hit over the Mendoza Line while striking out a combined 358 times. This lineup can rake against lesser pitching, but up-and-down the order, this team has holes that a veteran pitcher like Verlander can exploit.
The Astros’ offense is much less vulnerable. Even without Yulieski Gurriel, the team still have 20-home run potential one through nine in the order and a dynamic top of the order with George Springer, Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa. That fearsome foursome is unlike any other in the game with plenty of average, on-base, power and speed.
MLB Pick
The Astros are the defending World Series champions led in this game by—arguably—the biggest reason Houston won the series, Justin Verlander.
Houston has the advantage on the mound to start the game and in the bullpen at the end. Even if the pen does remain a question for October, it’s hardly a question in March, particularly after the additions of Joe Smith and Hector Rondon.
Additionally, even with the Rangers having their share of thump in the order, Houston’s the better all-around offensive club, too. The Astros should be able to score a few runs against the diminishing Cole Hamels, a slow starter, while Verlander should be able to exploit the holes in the Rangers’ swinging to last six solid frames before turning the ball over to the pen.
Look for Houston to come out victorious in Game 1 against their in-state rivals.
MLB Odds: Astros 6, Rangers 3
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today!
