Houston Astros
(25-32)May 28W@ Rangers4-3
May 27L@ Rangers7-10
May 25W@ Rangers9-0
May 24W@ Cubs8-5
May 23W@ Cubs3-0
Texas Rangers
(25-30)May 28Lvs Astros3-4
May 27Wvs Astros10-7
May 25Lvs Astros0-9
May 24L@ Angels1-2
May 24L@ Angels2-5
The problem is that Texas's lineup is being held together with tape. Corey Seager (back) isn't even being re-evaluated for another week, Wyatt Langford (forearm) is still working back, and Josh Smith is on the 10-day IL with an illness. Ezequiel Duran logged 2 hits and 2 RBI from shortstop in Tuesday's win, but that's a lot of weight on a utility guy against a pitcher running a sub-1.50 ERA.
Houston Astros
(13)- Day-To-DayWalker Janek (C) — Double-A Corpus Christi placed Janek on its 7-day injured list Sunday due to an unspecified injury.05/08
- 10-Day-ILJose Altuve (2B) — Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that the Astros could have Altuve (oblique) simulate at-bats rather than embark on a rehab assignment, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.05/27
- 10-Day-ILJoey Loperfido (LF) — Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters Monday that Loperfido (quadriceps) will pause his rehab assignment until Wednesday after fouling a ball off his foot during Sunday's game with Double-A Corpus Christie, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.05/25
- 10-Day-ILYainer Diaz (C) — Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Diaz (oblique) is expected to begin a rehab assignment during the first week of June, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.05/25
- 10-Day-ILCarlos Correa (SS) — Correa is scheduled to undergo surgery Monday in Houston to repair the tendon in his left ankle, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.05/10
- 15-Day-ILLance McCullers Jr. (SP) — McCullers was scratched from his scheduled start against the Twins on Tuesday due to shoulder inflammation, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.05/19
- 15-Day-ILBennett Sousa (RP) — The Astros placed Sousa on the 15-day injured list Saturday with left elbow inflammation, retroactive to Wednesday, Julia Morales of Space City Home Network reports.05/09
- 60-Day-ILCristian Javier (SP) — Javier (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.05/27
- 60-Day-ILJosh Hader (RP) — Hader (biceps) will pitch for Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday and Thursday, which should represent his final steps before he's activated from the 60-day injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.05/27
- 60-Day-ILHunter Brown (SP) — Brown (shoulder) will make his next rehab start this weekend at Triple-A Sugar Land, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.05/25
- 60-Day-ILHayden Wesneski (SP) — The Astros announced Monday that Wesneski (elbow) is continuing to complete regular bullpen sessions as part of his throwing progression, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILRonel Blanco (SP) — The Astros announced Monday that Blanco (elbow) is continuing to complete regular bullpen sessions as part of his throwing progression, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILBrandon Walter (SP) — The Astros placed Walter (elbow) on the 60-day injured list.05/08
Texas Rangers
(13)- Day-To-DayEzequiel Duran (2B) — Duran started at shortstop and went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 10-7 win over Houston.05/28
- Day-To-DaySebastian Walcott (SS) — Rangers GM Ross Fenstermaker said Tuesday that Walcott could be ready for game action in August, "if all things according to plan" in his rehab from the internal brace procedure he underwent on his right elbow, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.04/07
- 10-Day-ILJosh Smith (2B) — Smith (illness) is expected to return to Globe Life Field this week, but it's unclear when he'll be ready to ramp up his baseball activities, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.05/25
- 10-Day-ILWyatt Langford (LF) — Langford (forearm) will take batting practice Monday and could begin a rehab assignment as soon as this weekend, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.05/25
- 10-Day-ILCorey Seager (SS) — Seager (back) isn't slated to be re-evaluated for "probably another week," Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.05/24
- 10-Day-ILCody Freeman (3B) — Freeman (back) moved his rehab from the Arizona Complex League to Double-A Frisco on Friday, MLB.com reports.05/23
- 15-Day-ILCole Winn (RP) — Winn (0-1) took the loss against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, allowing three runs on two hits while striking out one over one-third of an inning.05/24
- 15-Day-ILRobert Garcia (RP) — Garcia (shoulder) began throwing from 80 feet out Friday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.05/08
- OutDeclan Cronin (RP) — Cronin (elbow) signed a two-year, minor-league contract with the Rangers on Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.05/08
- OutNabil Crismatt (SP) — Crismatt will undergo surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILCarter Baumler (RP) — Baumler (intercostal) has been shut down from his rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.05/23
- 60-Day-ILCody Bradford (SP) — Bradford (elbow) began throwing from 60 feet during the Rangers' most recent homestand, MLB.com reports05/10
- 60-Day-ILJordan Montgomery (SP) — Montgomery (elbow) will throw his fifth bullpen session Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.05/08
Houston is banged up too — no Altuve, no Correa, no Yainer Diaz, plus Hunter Brown, Lance McCullers Jr. and Josh Hader all rehabbing — and they're still 4-1 in the last 5. That's the read on this team right now: the rotation depth is somehow holding up, Arrighetti is pitching like an ace, and the offense is doing just enough. Wednesday's 4-3 win was the third one-score game between these two in four days.
The market has Texas as a -140 home favorite on the moneyline with the total set at 7.5, but 78% of DK moneyline tickets are on the Rangers while only 46% of the handle is — sharper money is nibbling Houston at +124. With Arrighetti on the bump and a depleted Texas lineup, it's hard to argue with that lean. Take the under and pray Eovaldi keeps the ball in the yard.