Astros Host Rangers on Weekend Odds Slate
The Houston Astros hit a huge slump going into the all-star break, losing eight of their last nine games and going 0-6 over their last six. The Astros will look to rebound and get back on track this weekend in a three-game home series against the Texas Rangers.
Houston is a -160 favorite in Friday's series opener according to online sportsbook Bovada. Texas has turned this series around of late with a 7-2 record in its last nine games against the Astros since going 2-9 in its previous 11 games against Houston. Martin Perez gets the start on Friday and is a +140 underdog for the Rangers. The UNDER is 9-2 in the last 11 games between these two teams.
The Los Angeles Angels have been the biggest beneficiaries of Houston's slump, climbing into first place in the AL West with an 11-3 surge into the all-star break. Los Angeles comes out of the all-star break as a -135 favorite over the Boston Red Sox with C.J. Wilson set to start the series opener on Friday. Wade Miley pitches for the Red Sox on Friday, who are a +115 road underdog and also entered the break hot with a 9-4 record over their last 13 games.
Over in the National League, two of the league's top teams play in a three-game series starting on Friday when the Washington Nationals host the Los Angeles Dodgers. Washington is currently going off at 13/4 to win the National League and 15/2 to win the World Series at Bovada, while the Dodgers are going off at 17/4 to win the NL and 17/2 to win the World Series. Both teams come out of the all-star break leading their respective divisions.
The British Open at St. Andrews continues through the weekend after kicking off on Thursday. Through Day 1, Dustin Johnson held sole possession of first place at 7-under-par, but plenty of others were still in the mix. Jordan Spieth finished Thursday's action at 5-under-par, as did Louis Oosthuizen. Johnson and Oosthuizen finished in second place at the US Open behind Spieth, who is gunning for his third straight major title.