The Astros opened the series with a 4-3 win over Tampa Bay. The Rays battled back from an early 3-0 deficit only to lose the game on a Jake Meyers' home run in the seventh inning. Josh Hader closed the game in the ninth for his 12th save of the season.

Get the best Astros vs. Rangers predictions ahead of Sunday's AL West showdown. Free MLB picks and predictions for May 18.

Not winning at home might come back to haunt the Rays. They have played 29 home games this season, the most of all MLB teams. Tampa Bay will play 14 of its next 18 games at home (with a four-game road series in Houston in the mix here, too).

The Astros pulled off perhaps their biggest win of the season on Sunday afternoon, and manager Joe Espada was stuck watching it from his office inside Globe Life Field after being ejected in the third inning for arguing balls and strikes.

Ryan Gusto will start on Monday against Kansas City and Colton Gordon could be called up to start Wednesday if needed.

Framber Valdez (1-4, 4.39 ERA, 37 strikeouts) vs. Quinn Priester (1-0, 5.79 ERA, 17 strikeouts) Framber Valdez was 15-7 with a 2.91 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 169 strikeouts in 176.1 innings last year. Last Start: Five innings, seven hits, four earned runs, two walks, and six strikeouts.

The Texas Rangers (24-21) host the Houston Astros (22-21) for the second game of their 4-game series Friday. First pitch from Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, is set for 8:05 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Astros vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

The Houston Astros have been able to keep their heads above water and play right around .500 baseball despite a unique set of challenges to begin the season. Wi

MLB player prop bets and odds for Vincent Joseph Pasquantino on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, as the Kansas City Royals take on the Houston Astros.

What’s next: The Royals continue their three-game series against the Houston Astros. Left-hander Kris Bubic (4-2, 1.69 ERA) will start against Astros ace Framber Valdez (2-4, 3.94 ERA) in Tuesday’s matchup at 7:10 p.m.

Remarkably, the Houston Astros have come through the first several weeks of the 2025 season with a winning record despite the odds stacked against them.