Texas Rangers at Houston Astros 8/11/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

AL West Division foes will square off on Thursday afternoon, when the Texas Rangers take on the Houston Astros from Minute Maid Park. The Rangers (49-61) are four games below .500 on the road and have their sights focused on next season. Last night, Texas CF Loedy Taveras delivered a bases clearing double during the tenth inning of an 8-4 road victory against Houston.

Rookie left-hander Cole Ragans (0-0 0.00 ERA) will make his second career major league start for the Rangers. In his first start, Ragans allowed one unearned run during a 3-2 home victory versus Chicago.

The Houston Astros have won 35 of their firrst 53 home games and are tied with New York for the best overall record in the American League. On Wednesday, Houston batters combined to go 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left eleven men on base. Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez each went deep in a losing effort for the Astros (71-41).

Twenty-eight year old southpaw Framber Valdez (10-4 2.87 ERA) will head to the hill for the Astros in the series finale. Last time out, Valdez gave up three runs in six plus innings during a 9-3 road triumph against Cleveland.