Astros vs. Rangers Prediction and Odds for Tuesday, August 30 (Framber Valdez, Dane Dunning Set to Shine)

If it weren't for Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez would be getting AL Cy Young hype.

Yeah, Valdez has been that good for the best team in the American League, the Houston Astros. Valdez has a 2.65 ERA and the MLB low home run rate. Now, he faces a sputtering Texas Rangers lineup that has fallen way short of expectations. Can Valdez keep it rolling?

What about Texas starter Dane Dunning, who has had a handle on the Astros in two starts this season?

Here are the odds for this AL West showdown:

Astros vs. Rangers Odds, Run Line, Total

Astros vs. Rangers Prediction and Pick

Both pitchers should be able to put together strong starts on Tuesday. We'll start with Valdez, who is one of the most underrated starts in the big leagues. Like I mentioned, he has a 2.65 ERA, generating a ton of soft contact and limiting trouble on the base paths (less than seven hits per nine innings).

Valdez has a 1.98 ERA over his last four starts across the month of August and I like him to keep it going in the series opener.

Meanwhile, Dane Dunning has also been underrated this season. The Rangers right-hander has not been fazed by the AL's best team, allowing just two runs across 11.2 in two starts against Houston in 2022. He is also significantly better at home than on the road, posting a 3.21 ERA this season, more than two runs lower than when he leaves Globe Life FIeld.

The Rangers are 11 games under .500 so it may be a futile effort backing them to take down the vaunted Astros, but they can keep this close and to a low scoring meeting.