The price has come down enough where I can get involved and not feel ripped off. The Astros halted a three-game losing streak by defeating the Rangers, 5-3, at Globe Life Park.

I felt so strong about an Astros victory in that game that I laid 1 1/2 runs with them on the run line. The price isn't large enough to have to do that in this game. I'm surprised it isn't. Houston is 25 games above .500 while the Rangers are 10 games under .500.

The Astros have dominated the Rangers at Globe Life Park winning 12 of the last 13 times there, including the past seven.

Not only does Houston have a big offensive edge, but also a major pitching advantage in a matchup of Gerrit Cole versus Mike Minor. Cole has thrived since coming to the Astros. He's 9-2 with a 2.50 ERA this season. Cole has dominated the Rangers going 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA in four career starts, including a 1.80 ERA in 20 innings this season.

Minor, by contrast, is 0-1 with a 5.74 ERA in three starts versus Houston this season and has a 5.06 career ERA against the Astros in nine appearances, including six starts.