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  1. Home
  2. MLB Picks
  3. Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros
Mon 4:37 PM ET
Texas Rangers logo
Texas
Rangers5
N. Eovaldi RHP · 14–5, 3.42 ERA
versus
Houston Astros logo
Houston
Astros4
F. Valdez LHP · 12–12, 3.60 ERA
Final
Team123456789T
Texas Rangers4010000005
Houston Astros010101

Rangers Take Early Lead in ALCS as Astros Look to Even Series

Game time: October 16, 2023 at 4:37 PM ET

Venue: Minute Maid Park — Houston, Texas

Article updated Oct 16, 2:14 AM EDT

Published by SportsJaw Editorial Team

First pitch is scheduled for 4:37 PM EST as the series continues on

Game outlook

First pitch is scheduled for 4:37 PM EST as the series continues on Monday.

Game Info

When: Monday, 10/16/2023 @ 4:37pm EST

Where: Minute Maid Park Stadium Rangers vs Astros Betting Odds Moneyline: Rangers +106 | Astros -120

Spread: Rangers +1.5 (-195) | Astros -1.5 (+170)

Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-110)

Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 55%.

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers entered the ALCS on Sunday night undefeated and with great offensive momentum. They opened the game with an RBI double and single from Evan Carter and Jonah Heim, respectively, and Leody Tavares hit a home run in the fifth inning to take a 2-0 lead. Jordan Montgomery held the Astros to five hits over 6.1 innings and Jose LeClerc closed out the game in the ninth inning, resulting in a successful 6th consecutive playoff win for the Rangers. The Rangers' starting pitcher for game two, Nathan Eovaldi, has been impressive in the playoffs with a 1.32 ERA, 9.9 K/9, and a 0.80 WHIP. The Rangers enter this best-of-seven series with high confidence: - They are ranked 6 for power, 3 for offense (averaging 5.47 points/game), 13 for defense (allowing 4.36 points/game), and are 96-72 this season. - Nathan Eovaldi is 1-1 against the Rangers this season with 4.32 ERA and 7 hits allowed in 8.1 innings pitched. - His career record in the playoffs is 6-3 in 13 appearances with a 2.87 ERA and a K/9 of nearly nine. The Rangers have all the pieces in place to repeat against the Astros and maintain their undefeated playoff record.

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MLB · Texas Rangers at Houston Astros

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Houston Astros Analysis

Heading into game one of the ALCS, the Astros have surprisingly struggled at home with an overall record of 93-72, including the playoffs. The Astros had confidence with veteran pitcher Justin Verlander on the mound for game one after his six wins in eight playoff starts. Verlander allowed two runs in 6.2 innings before the bullpen kept the Rangers scoreless in the final 2.1 innings. The Astros did not have any runs on the board and were hitless in those 2.1 innings against the Rangers bullpen. Framber Valdez will take the mound for the Astros in game two. Valdez is 0-1 in the playoffs and has a career 3.83 ERA in the postseason. Against the Rangers this season, he has a record of 94-71 with a 4.32 ERA in three starts. To get more insights on the MLB Playoffs, don't forget to check out our MLB Picks.

Rangers Take Early Lead in Series, Astros Count on Hitting Strength to Even Series

Heading into game two, the Rangers have the edge due to their six-game winning streak and Nathan Eovaldi's 2-0 record in the playoffs. The Astros, however, come off a World Series title and seven straight appearances in the ALCS. They will bring lefty Framber Valdez to the mound, who holds a 7-3 career record in playoffs. Balancing Houston's performance against the Rangers, they have been held to six hits and are four games below .500 at home, while the Astros' bats were quiet in game one. Fortunately, Yordan Alvarez boasts .714 batting average against Eovaldi, while Kyle Tucker is batting .333 with one home run. Additionally, Michael Brantley has recorded one home run and five RBI against the veteran righty. With these factors in mind, the Astros may be able to tie the series.

Written by Johnmizner Published on 10/16/2023 Category: MLB Picks

About the Author: Information is what wins games, having the upper edge in ways of injuries, knowing who's starting, and the coaching philosophies are just a few key eliminates that go into each and every play I put out.

SportsJawGame Predictions
Predicted score

Unavailable for this preview

Projected winnerUnavailableConfidencelow
Pick on the Spread

Published pick: Unavailable

Pick on the Total

Published pick: Unavailable

#TexasRangers#HoustonAstros

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Written by

SportsJaw Editorial Team

SportsJaw published this archived preview from its original game-day article. Its prediction and quoted lines are preserved as written.

About our editorial process

SportsJaw Rangers vs Astros archived game preview contains historical odds and availability that may no longer be current. View history of past Rangers vs Astros matchups or learn how our predictions work.

Current matchup data

Lines, trends and availability

Line movement since open

  • Moneyline · Texas Rangers+123 → +107Moved
  • Moneyline · Houston Astros-133 → -120Moved
  • Spread · Texas Rangers+1.5 (-175) → +1.5 (-190)Moved
  • Spread · Houston Astros-1.5 (+155) → -1.5 (+165)Moved
  • Total · Over8.5 (-110) → 8.5 (-110)Unchanged
  • Total · Under8.5 (-110) → 8.5 (-110)Unchanged

ATS and O/U trends

Texas Rangers
94-71 matchup record · 9-1-0 ATS · 1-7-2 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file
Houston Astros
93-72 matchup record · 6-4-0 ATS · 4-5-1 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file

Injuries and availability

From the published research (2023-10-16T06:14:23.194Z). Availability may have changed; review the cited sources.

About the Author: Information is what wins games, having the upper edge in ways of injuries, knowing who's starting, and the coaching philosophies are just a few key eliminates that go into each and every play I put out.

Recent head-to-head

  • 2023-10-15Texas Rangers 2 · Houston Astros 0
  • 2023-09-06Houston Astros 12 · Texas Rangers 3
  • 2023-09-05Houston Astros 14 · Texas Rangers 1
  • 2023-09-04Houston Astros 13 · Texas Rangers 6
Final result

Matchup pick recap

Texas Rangers defeated Houston Astros 5-4

Texas Rangers defeated Houston Astros 5-4 on October 16, 2023, a 1-run decision in the series. Texas Rangers' strongest period was the 1st inning, when it outscored its opponent 4-0. Against SportsJaw's recorded Texas Rangers +1.5 (-190) spread, Texas Rangers covered, while the 9 combined runs finished over the recorded total of 8.5.

SportsJaw editorial picks

  • Projected winnerNo published selectionUnavailable

Tipster picks

  • RainmanMoneyline · Texas Rangers +123Win
  • TphamMoneyline · Texas Rangers -133Win
  • MoneymouthMoneyline · Houston Astros -133Loss
  • EmcTotal · Over 8.5 (-110)Win
  • JamescashiolaMoneyline · Houston Astros -148Loss
  • Mahomie15Total · Over 8.5 (-110)Win
  • CoolioMoneyline · Texas Rangers +107Win
  • CoolioTotal · Over 8.5 (-110)Win
  • OddssharkMoneyline · Texas Rangers +107Win
  • OddssharkTotal · Over 8.5 (-110)Win
  • FatherFirstMoneyline · Houston Astros -118Loss
  • FatherFirstTotal · Under 8.5 (-110)Loss