The AL West-leading Rangers and defending World Series champion Astros renew their Lone State rivalry when they open a four-game series in Arlington Friday night. Veteran Jon Gray takes the pill for Texas here against rookie righty Ronel Blanco for Houston.

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MLB Betting Odds

Friday's baseball betting market opened Texas and Gray at around -160 over Houston and Blanco, with an over/under of nine runs. Early betting action then sent the Rangers line up to -163..

Astros-Rangers Betting Preview

Houston just took two of three games at struggling St. Louis, winning Thursday's series rubber match 14-0. Just before that, the Astros dropped two of three games at the Dodgers, but just before that, they took two of three from the Mets.

So Houston is 2-1 over its last three series and 5-3 over its last eight games.

At 44-37 overall, the Astros own the No. 6 spot in the American League playoff standings.

Texas, meanwhile, just split four games at home with Detroit, losing Thursday's series finale 8-5. Just before that, the Rangers lost two of three games at the Yankees, while just before that, they took two of three at the White Sox.

Going back a bit further, Texas is 2-1-1 over its last four series and 7-5 over its last 12 games.

At 49-32 overall, the Rangers lead the AL West by five games over second-place Houston.

This series is the second meeting between these teams this season; back in April, Texas took two of three games from the Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Friday's Pitching Match-Up

Gray is 6/14 on quality starts this season. He was on a great run from May into June, with six solid outings in a row, then got touched for six runs in less than three innings by the Blue Jays two starts ago. But he bounced back last Saturday, holding the Yankees to one run through five frames, although Texas lost that game 1-0.

The Rangers are 8-6 with Gray this season, and that's even probably a game worse than they should be, based on his performances.

Over his last two starts against Houston, one last year and one earlier this season, Gray allowed three runs and seven hits through eight total innings. Texas lost both of those games.

Blanco is 2/4 on quality starts this year, to go along with nine appearances in relief. Last Saturday, he gave up three runs and two home runs in the first inning against the Dodgers, then tossed five scoreless innings in a game the Astros eventually lost 8-7. And just before that, he gave up five runs and two homers through 5 2/3 innings in a 9-7 Houston loss to the Reds.

The Astros are only 1-3 when Blanco starts this season, but that's not all his fault.

Over two relief appearances against Texas this season, Blanco allowed four runs - although only one was earned - and five hits through three innings, with one walk against four strikeouts.

Splits With the Sticks

Houston is batting .246 against right-handed pitching this season, with a .317 team OBP and a .403 team slugging percentage. This line-up is also still operating without its biggest stick, with OF Yordan Alvarez still on the DL.

Texas is slashing .265/.334/.450 against right-handed pitching.

The Bullpens

The Rangers bullpen owns a 4.37 ERA this season, along with a 1.22 WHIP and a 2.71 K/BB ratio.

The Astros pen owns a 3.64 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP, and a 2.97 K/BB ratio.

MLB Betting Trends

Houston is 22-18 on the road this season and 32-28 against right-handed starters.

Texas is 26-15 at home and 34-23 against right-handed starters.

Totals Report

• The overs are 41-39 in Astros games this season.
• The overs are 43-30 in Rangers games.
• The overs are 24-11 at Globe Life Field this season.