The Texas Rangers forced a Game 7 in the 2023 ALCS. They will face the Houston Astros on Monday, October 23rd, 2023 for the right to play in the 2023 World Series (6:00 PM ET). The ALCS has truly seen its fair share of drama and the Battle of Texas now comes down to just one game. To add some intrigue to the deciding game, both clubs have a decent pitcher ready for battle. My Rangers vs Astros prediction will dodge the moneyline. I think this game will be a low-scoring affair.
Texas vs Houston Prediction: Latest MLB News
These two teams met on Sunday evening. The Rangers needed a win and they left nothing to chance. They claimed yet another road win in the 2023 MLB playoffs, defeating Houston 9-2 on Sunday night.
Texas actually was a very mediocre road team during the regular season. But you certainly would not have known that by the way their post-season has gone. The Rangers, with their win on Sunday, claimed their seventh straight road victory in these playoffs. For a team that had a losing record on the road, their results in the playoffs have certainly been enigmatic.
Starting Pitching: Max Scherzer vs Cristian Javier
The Texas Rangers made a trade for Max Scherzer back in the summer. This is the game where it either pays dividends or busts. Scherzer, who is 39 years old, is the scheduled starter for Texas. He enters the game having appeared in just one playoff game this postseason. On October 18th, Houston touched him up pretty well, scoring five runs in four innings in handing him a playoff loss.
The Astros will send Cristian Javier to the mound. He has been good in the playoffs so far. In two starts, Javier has pitched 10.2 innings and allowed just two earned runs. Also, he has only allowed four hits and he has struck out twelve in the playoffs.
The 26-year-old has, in fact, been very good in all of the playoff seasons he has appeared in. In 43.1 playoff innings in his short career, he has struck out 60 and allowed just 18 hits and 10 earned runs while going 6-1. It's always interesting when a pitcher plays above his normal self for playoff games. It suggests that he's just hardwired for the pressure games.
Rangers vs Astros Prediction: Betting Tips
The oddsmakers like the Astros here but only by a little bit. Houston is coming in at -130 on the moneyline while the Rangers are +110 (bet365). With the OVER/UNDER set at -110 with a target of 9.5, this game does call for an UNDER bet. Firstly, the starters are both meant for these kinds of games. Secondly, there will be no bullpen management with tomorrow in mind as this is an elimination game for both teams. My recommendation is to take the UNDER at -110 and 9.5.
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