The Texas Rangers host the Houston Astros on May 16, 2025. First pitch from Globe Life Field is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. EDT; the game will be broadcast on Apple TV+.
Read our Astros vs Rangers prediction and MLB player prop pick below.
My Astros vs Rangers Prediction
- Astros vs Rangers Picks: Lance McCullers Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-160, DraftKings)
My Astros vs Rangers best bet is on Lance McCullers' strikeout prop. Check our live MLB odds page to find the best odds.
Astros vs Rangers Odds
| Astros Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -140 | 8 -115o / -105u | +155 |
| Rangers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +115 | 8 -115o / -105u | -190 |
Charlie Wright’s Astros vs Rangers Preview
Houston Astros Player Prop: Completely Different Pitcher
It’s exciting to see Lance McCullers back in the big leagues for the first time since 2022.
Unfortunately, he looks like a shell of himself.
We can ignore the seven earned runs across ⅓ IP in his last start, and things still don’t look great. He’s lost nearly two ticks of velocity on his sinker (down from 93.1 mph to 91.6). He’s lost movement on his knuckle curve and stopped throwing it as much. He’s lost over three ticks on his slider.
It doesn’t feel fair to compare McCullers to his former self after the litany of injuries — he’s a different pitcher.
Texas has the seventh-lowest strikeout rate against righties among MLB lineups over the past month. Friday’s projected lineup has combined for a 19.5% strikeout rate across 978 plate appearances against the side this year.
Jake Burger is the biggest problem (32.2% strikeout rate against righties), but he’ll be hitting in the bottom part of the order, so McCullers might only face him once.
McCullers’ outs prop is at 14.5. Houston has gotten eight innings from two of its past three starting pitchers, including a complete game from Hunter Brown on Thursday. The bullpen is fully rested, so McCullers’ leash should be short — I see him maxing out at five frames.
Given McCullers' current form, a strikeout per inning is a tall task.
Pick: Lance McCullers Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-160, DraftKings)
