The Houston Astros will head north up the Lone Star state to face the Texas Rangers on Friday at Globe Life Field. We're here to share our MLB odds series, make an Astros-Rangers prediction, and pick while showing you how to watch.

The Astros defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 8-0 on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park to win the three-game series. It was scoreless in the third inning when Yordan Alvarez blasted a 441-foot shot to right-center field for a solo home run, his first of the season. Later, Alvarez doubled to right-center field in the fourth inning to make it 2-0. The Astros added another run in the fifth inning when Chas McCormick singled to center to make it 3-0. Then, Jeremy Pena singled to give the Astros a 4-0 lead.

In the sixth inning, Alvarez slammed a monster shot to right-center field for a two-run home run, his second of the game. Next, the Astros struck again in the seventh when Pena clobbered the ball to left-center field for a two-run home run to make it 7-0 Houston. Jose Altuve finished the scoring with a solo shot to left. Overall, the Astros got a stellar effort from Cristian Javier, who tossed five shutout innings while allowing one hit, striking out three, and walking five.

The Rangers defeated the Rays 4-1 on Wednesday to finish off another series victory. In the sixth inning, it was scoreless until Corey Seager golfed a shot to the deep right corner for a solo home run. Later, the Rangers added some insurance runs when Josh H. Smith singled to deep center to drive in two. Marcus Semien singled to make it 4-0. Subsequently, they allowed one run in the ninth, but the Rays could not do anything else. Nathan Eovaldi tossed seven shutout innings while allowing four hits while striking out eight.

Hunter Brown makes the start for the Astros and is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA with five strikeouts. Ultimately, he tossed four innings while allowing one run, none earned, on four hits while walking two in a no-decision against the Yankees.

Cody Bradford is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA as he makes his second start of the season. Recently, he went five innings while allowing two earned runs on three hits while striking out six in a win over the Chicago Cubs.

Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Astr0s-Rangers Odds

Houston Astros: -1.5 (+126)

Moneyline: -126

Texas Rangers: +1.5 (-152)

Moneyline: +108

Over: 9.5 (-110)

Under: 9.5 (-110)

How to Watch Astros vs. Rangers

Time: 8:06 PM ET/5:06 PM PT

TV: Apple TV

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Astros Will Cover The Spread/Win

Pitching is always the first thing to look for. Significantly, Brown had a 1.80 ERA over two appearances in the American League Championship Series against the Rangers. Brown is also 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA over three regular-season starts against the Rangers. Yet, he will also need his lineup to help.

Jose Altuve is still a good hitter at the top of the lineup. Currently, he is batting .345 with three home runs, three RBIs, and seven runs. Alvarez is now hitting .241 with two home runs, three RBIs, and four runs. Now, he hopes to build off the momentum he gained against the Jays. Kyle Tucker is batting .333 with two home runs, five RBIs, and four runs. Meanwhile, Alex Bregman is hitting just .200 with one RBI and one run while still looking for his first home run. Yandy Diaz is batting .269 with one home run, six RBIs, and four runs.

The Astros will cover the spread if they can get some runs early. Then, Brown must last at least five innings and pitch well.

Why The Rangers Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Rangers need Bradford to do well. He has a 2.00 ERA over three career games against the Astros. Bradford will face a dangerous lineup that can clobber the baseball at any moment. Now, he needs help from his offense.

Semien hopes to do more. Currently, he is batting .250 with five RBIs, three runs with five walks and three strikeouts. Seager is now hitting .364 with one home run, three RBIs, and four runs. However, dynamic rookie Wyatt Langford is still looking to do more. Langford is batting .240 with three RBIs and one run. Therefore, he hopes to clobber his first home run of the season. Adolis Garcia is currently batting .240 with three home runs, six RBIs, and five runs. Now, he hopes to drive more runners in.

The Rangers will cover the spread if Bradford can avoid making mistakes. Then, they need their lineup to produce and gain the early lead.

Final Astros-Rangers Prediction & Pick

Neither of these starting pitchers is particularly good. Yes, Brown has had some success against the Rangers. But even he has some issues, and is more than capable of making a mistake. Likewise, Bradford is a solid pitcher but also might struggle against this lineup. The line is likely going to move a little. Regardless, expect the Astros and Rangers to both score some runs. The Astros and Rangers will both score a lot of runs. Therefore, expect the teams to hit the over in this one.

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Final Astros-Rangers Prediction & Pick: Over: 9.5 (-110)