The Texas Rangers will be facing elimination in Game 6 of the 2023 ALCS on Sunday evening. The Rangers have to, in part, be kicking themselves for what they have let slip away. They were up 2-0 in the series and returning to Arlington, Texas with a chance to sweep. Three games later and now they must win two straight on the road to both stay alive in the playoffs and advance to the 2023 World Series. Game time on October 22nd, 2023 is at 8:00 PM ET. My Rangers vs Astros prediction is that Texas does win this game.
Texas vs Houston Prediction: Latest MLB News
Besides losing a 2-0 lead in the series, the Rangers have probably had Game 5 on their minds over the last couple of days. Texas was up 4-2 heading into the ninth inning of that game but just could not close the deal. For some teams, such frustrations can be productive. I'm looking for Texas to be determined to erase the bad memory of that game with two wins to close this series out.
Houston, conversely, will be feeling great heading into Game 6. But with the pitching matchup as it is the game should be an interesting one.
Starting Pitching: Nathan Eovaldi vs Framber Valdez
Texas has to be happy about the starting pitching situation. The Rangers have Nathan Eovaldi ready while Houston has Framber Valdez. Valdez was a Cy Young candidate for part of the regular season. In fact, according to my notes, he was the Cy Young favorite for the American League even in the middle of the summer.
Valdez had an awful month of July. Yes, he had a no-hitter on August 1st but in the big picture that was the only game where he pitched well at that time of his season. Furthermore, the no-hitter only came against Cleveland, a team that struggled at that time of the season.
Valdez suffered an ankle injury in early July and has not been that good ever since. His ERA at the end of June was 2.49 but went up to 3.45 by season's end. He has given up nine earned runs in seven innings in the current 2023 MLB playoffs. He is not a pitcher that you will want to be backing as there is a reasonable chance that he gives up a really big inning before getting pulled.
Nathan Eovaldi has had a very good postseason for Texas. He is 3-0 in the playoffs with just five earned runs in 19.2 innings pitched. He also has 24 strikeouts in those innings. His playoff stats are better than his regular season statistics, showing that he is the man for these tough moments.
Rangers vs Astros Prediction: Betting Tips
The Rangers, despite having lost three straight, are only mild underdogs on the road for this Game 6 at +105 (bet365). The odds are no doubt a reflection of Valdez, his poor pitching form for quite some time, and Eovaldi's steady arm in the playoffs. Bettors should be taking the Rangers in this game as the ALCS looks like it will go to a deciding Game 7.
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