Rangers vs Astros Odds, Lines, and Spread – Sep. 3 (Lynn vs Greinke)

• The Houston Astros are -175 favorites to defeat the Texas Rangers on Thursday, Sep. 3rd, at Minute Maid Park
• The Rangers entered play Wednesday an AL-worst 12-22 against the runline this season
• Houston’s Zack Greinke takes the mound facing Texas ace Lance Lynn

The eyes of Texas are on the baseball diamond this week as the state’s two MLB teams – the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers – complete a three-game series.

To finish off this set on Thursday, Sep. 3rd (2:10 pm ET), the clubs are offering up an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel. Former AL Cy Young-winner Zack Greinke takes the mound for Houston. Texas will send staff ace Lance Lynn to the bump, who sits third in the 2020 AL Cy Young odds.

Oddsmakers are siding with Greinke on this occasion. Houston is the -175 favorite in the Astros vs Rangers odds.

Rangers vs Astros Odds

Odds as of Sept. 2

Texas is a +148 underdog. Before taking the field on Wednesday night, the Rangers were 3-7 over their past 10 games. The Astros have been slightly better at 5-5.

Other Plays to Consider

Entering play Wednesday, the Rangers were an AL-worst 12-22 against the runline. That includes a 9-13 mark as an underdog and a 4-7 record as an away underdog.

Houston is 17-17 overall against the runline and 10-8 as a home favorite.

With such talent on the hill, the total for this game of 7.5 runs is also much lower than the average MLB total.  Still, under 7.5 runs at odds of -103 is an enticing option.

Ending the Drought

Tuesday’s 6-5 victory over the Astros was the first win the Rangers have recorded in Houston since 2018. The Rangers had lost nine in a row at Minute Maid Park since a 4-3 victory on July 29, 2018.

Overall, before Wednesday’s game, Houston showed a 7-1 slate against Texas in the last eight meetings and an 11-3 edge over the previous 14 games.

Fear the Gallo bunt! 😤#TogetherWe pic.twitter.com/j8IxZ11fCn

— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) September 2, 2020

Tuesday’s triumph was a bizarre way for Texas to end the streak. Five of the Rangers’ six runs got on base via walks, hit batters, or errors. Scott Heineman scored the go-ahead run in the 10th inning on a balk.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa scored from first base on a two-out bunt by Rangers slugger Joey Gallo.

Greinke Struggles Against Rangers

Despite his success over the years, Greinke is often second-best when the Rangers supply the opposition. He’s 3-6 lifetime against Texas in 17 appearances, including 15 starts.

Zack Greinke, 88mph Fastball, 87mph Slider & 88mph Changeup.

[Quietly rooting for Greinke 88mph Slider so we have the trifecta. It doesn't have to make sense. It's Zack Greinke.] pic.twitter.com/xx4tVzXL2C

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 29, 2020

However, Greinke’s ERA against Texas is a solid 2.90 and his WHIP is a stellar 1.077. He’s also recorded 93 strikeouts against just 18 walks in 99.1 innings.

Greinke also owns an impressive .630 winning percentage in day games (63-37). Add to that a .769 win percentage at Minute Maid Park (10-3).

Rangers Career Stats vs Greinke

Greinke has yet to taste defeat in 2020. He’s 2-0 with a 2.86 ERA and 35 strikeouts.

However, his outings of late haven’t been as impressive. Greinke has surrendered six earned runs over 11 innings in his last two starts (3.80). He allowed just three runs over 26 innings through his first four starts of the season (1.03).

Lynn Loses His First

Lynn fell from the ranks of the unbeaten when he allowed four runs in six innings during a 7-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last start. He’d won three of his four starts prior.

For the season, Lynn is a dominant 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 51.1 innings. However, he’s not enjoyed the best of luck when facing the Astros.

Astros Career Stats vs Lynn

In four 2019 starts against Houston, the right-hander went 1-3 with a 3.54 ERA. His WHIP in those starts was just 1.14, though.

He’s 5-4 with a 2.49 ERA and .219 batting average through 11 appearances against the Astros, 10 of which were starts. Lynn has fanned 80 batters in just 66 innings.

Lance Lynn. That's the tweet. #CarryTheFreight | #TogetherWe pic.twitter.com/ToSZZqRQol

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) August 15, 2020

Only one of his four wins this season have come on the road. He’s 3-4 lifetime at Minute Maid Park with a 3.49 ERA. Lynn is 30-25 in his career in daytime starts.

Pick: Houston Astros (-175)