Texas will look to sweep its in-state rival Houston as it carries a 2-0 series lead over the Astros into tonight's 8:05 PM ET finale at Minute Maid Park. The Rangers, which are scheduled to face veteran lefty Wandy Rodriguez, are sending Matt Harrison to the hill this evening. The latest Sports Betting Odds have Texas listed as a -125 moneyline favorite and the game total set at 7.5.
It probably would not have 
mattered when the Rangers ran into the Astros, they, more than likely, were going to come out on top. However, it certainly did not hurt Ron Washington's squad that Houston had lost three straight to the Rays prior to the start of the series.
The Rangers, which took game one 7-3, assured a victorious set last night with a 3-2 win against Houston's Bret Myers. While Myers earned a quality start, giving up six hits and three earned runs over seven innings, his performance did not match that of Texas' hurler Colby Lewis.
Lewis limited the Astros to two earned runs in six innings and the Rangers bullpen gave up just one hit in relief of the six year veteran.
The win improved Texas record to 43-38 and kept it 1.5 games in front of the streaking Angels in the American League's West Division. Houston added to its major league worst record in the setback; the Astros, at 28-53, sit 16 games back of the Brewers in the NL Central.
Houston will look to end its five game skid with 32 year old Wandy Rodriguez toeing the rubber this evening. Rodriguez, who is 5-4 with a 3.21 ERA, broke a string of seven consecutive quality starts in his last outing as he got bombed for five earned runs in six innings in a 1-5 loss to the Rays.
Texas' Harrison will make his 15th start of the season tonight as looks to send his ERA below the 3.00 mark. The big southpaw earned his sxith win of the year last Friday after he held the Mets to seven hits and one earned run (seven innings) in an 8-1 Rangers victory. Harrison, who brings a 3.00 ERA and 1.26 WHIP into this evening's contest, has allowed one or fewer runs in five of his last six appearances.
Rangers vs Astros MLB Odds June 30, 2011:
Texas Rangers -1.5 (+130), Over 7.5 (-110), -125 (Moneyline)
Houston Astros +1.5 (-150), Under 7.5 (-110), +105 (Moneyline)
