The Houston Astros (1-2) will look to even up the American League Championship Series against the Texas Rangers (2-1) on Thursday. For the Rangers, they are hoping to take a commanding three-games-to-one lead heading into Game 5.
After losing the first two games of this series at home, the Astros were able to bounce back on the road Wednesday with an 8-5 victory. In the win, Christian Javier picked up the win after allowing just two earned runs over 5.2 innings of work. Jose Altuve hit his second home run of the postseason.
Astros vs RangersPicks
MLB Pick: Astros to win (+103) and the over to hit on total runs (-105)
For the Rangers, starter Max Scherzer struggled as he gave up five earned runs over just four innings. On a positive note, Josh Jung hit two home runs in the loss.
While the Astros were able to finish atop the MLB standings in the AL West, both of these teams are battling to see who will prevail and move on to the World Series.
Heading into this matchup, let’s take a look at our Astros vs Rangers picks & parlays.
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Odds
Before determining our Astros vs Rangers picks & parlays, it is important to analyze the MLB odds.
- Moneyline: The Rangers come into this one as slight favorites playing at home. They are -113 to win, while the Astros’ moneyline sits at +103.
- Spread: The spread features Houston at +1.5, with odds of -185. The spread for the Rangers sits at -1.5, with odds of +165.
- Over/Under: In terms of the total runs, the over/under is set at 9.5. The over 9.5 runs has odds of -105, while the under has odds of -115.
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Picks & Parlays
At 51-30, the Astros were one of the best road teams in the majors this year, and they showed why on Wednesday. Expect that to continue in this one.
Astros vs. Rangers Pick:
- Take the Astros to win straight up on the road (+103) against the Texas Rangers
Astros vs. Rangers Parlay:
- Astros to win (+103).
- Over on total runs (-105).
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Information
Houston Astros vs Texas Rangers
Location of the game: Globe Life Field. Arlington, TX.
Date & Time: Thursday, October 19. 8:03 pm ET
How to watch: National – FS1 | FS1-INT
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Betting Analysis
For the Houston Astros game today, manager Dusty Baker will hand the ball to 28-year-old righty Jose Urquidy. Looking at his MLB player stats, he pitched in 16 regular season contests, going 3-3 with a 5.29 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, and he had 45 strikeouts in 63 innings.
He has been far better in the postseason, though. In 13 career MLB games in the playoffs, he is 4-2 with a 3.64 ERA. In his one start this postseason, he picked up the win over the Minnesota Twins, allowing two earned runs over 5.2 innings.
The Astros currently rank fifth out of all MLB teams in scoring, averaging 5.07 runs per game. They are even better on the road, averaging 5.71 runs.
Yordan Alvarez continues to tear up the postseason. In 27 at bats, he is hitting .407/.467/1.148 with six home runs and ten runs batted in this postseason.
Thursday’s Pitching Spotlight
When considering MLB predictions for the Rangers, it is important to analyze their starting pitcher. On Thursday, manager Bruce Bochy will hand the ball to 32-year-old lefty Andrew Heaney. In 34 MLB games this season, he went 10-6 with a 4.15 ERA and 1.38 WHIP, and he had 151 strikeouts in 147.1 innings.
This postseason, he has pitched in one game, going 3.2 innings. In that span, he gave up an earned run and struck out one.
Offensively, the Rangers rank third in the majors in scoring, averaging 5.44 runs per game. At home, they are even better, as they are averaging 5.98 runs.
Josh Jung leads the team this postseason in home runs with three, while he trails only Mitch Garver for the team lead in runs batted in with seven. Garver has eight.
MLB Injury Report
As for the MLB injury report, Houston is without pitchers Lance McCullers Jr (forearm) and Luis Garcia (forearm). As for the Rangers, they will be without pitchers Jake Odorizzi (arm), Ian Kennedy (shoulder), and Jacob deGrom (elbow).
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Betting Picks
As far as MLB predictions, it is hard not to take Houston in this one. They have just been phenomenal on the road this season and are a combined 7-1 at Globe Life Field this year.
Looking at the trends, the Astros are 8-3 in their last 11 MLB games against the Rangers. Houston is also undefeated in their last seven road games overall.
Also, with two top-10 offenses on the field, don’t be surprised if both offenses are able to put up some runs.
As far as our Astros vs Rangers picks & parlays, take the Astros to win (+103) and the over to hit on total runs (-105).
- MLB Pick: Astros to win (+103) and the over to hit on total runs (-105)
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