The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros step to the diamond at Minute Maid Park on Sunday to throw first pitch for this year’s American League Championship Series. The Stros are a -142 money line favorite. Will AL West rival Texas knock off defending World Series champ Houston in Game 1? Or will the Astros show why they’re the chalk to repeat as champions? Check out ALCS Game 1 odds, analysis, and a free pick for Rangers at Astros.

Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros 2023 MLB ALCS Game 1 Information

A Texas-sized #ALCS.

Who do you have advancing to the #WorldSeries, and in how many games? pic.twitter.com/gv75GqHAI5

— MLB (@MLB) October 12, 2023

• When: Sunday, October 15, 2023, 8:15 PM ET
• Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX
• TV: FOX
• Radio: 105.3 The Fan (Rangers) // SportsTalk 790 (Astros)
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• MLB Odds: Rangers (-117) // Astros (-142)

Why bet on the Texas Rangers?

Texas has yet to lose in the postseason. The Rangers swept Tampa Bay, outscoring the Rays 11 runs to 1.

Then in the American League Divisional Series versus 1-seed Baltimore, the Rangers blew apart the Orioles’ Cinderella story 3-2, 11-8, and 7-1.

During the postseason, the Rangers have hit 7 home runs total. Adolis Garcia has 2, Nathaniel Lowe, Josh Jung, Evan Carter, Corey Seager, and Mitch Garver all have a dinger. Seager is also batting .429 and Jung has 8 total hits.

Why bet on the Houston Astros?

Save for a 6-2 loss against the Twins during the ALDS, the Houston Astros have rolled. Although we didn’t list the 5 games before battling Minnesota in the postseason, trust us, the Astros played great.

Houston swept NLCS participating Arizona in a 3-game series to end the regular season. The Stros beat rival Seattle in 2-of-3 before the series versus the D’Backs.

Houston’s bats are on fire, but the Stros’ top three starters are also in fine form. Justin Verlander, whom Houston reacquired after Verlander skipped to the Mets during the offseason, Framber Valdez, and Christian Javier are ready to go.

Rangers vs. Astros Betting Trends

• Texas is 5-0 SU in the last 5 games.
• Rangers are 1-7 SU in its last 8 games against Houston.
• The total went under in 5 of Texas’ last 7 games.
• Houston is 7-1 SU in the last 8 games.
• Astros are 4-1 SU in its last 5 games against an opponent in the American League.
• The total went over in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games at home.

Rangers vs. Astros 2023 MLB ALCS Game 1 Betting Prediction

The Stros start Verlander in Game 1. In his last 3 starts, Justin has dominated. Versus the Seattle Mariners on Sep 25, Verlander allowed a single earned run off 3 hits in 8 innings and struck out 8.

Then against Arizona on Sep 30, Verlander struck out 5 on his way to a 2-hit, 5 innings performance. Justin’s game against Minnesota on Oct. 7 was electric.

Verlander threw 6 innings, gave up 4 hits, walked just 3, and struck out 6 and gave up 0 runs. Also, versus Texas, the Houston ace has performed well, allowing a .241 batting average, striking out 37, allowing 3 home runs and just 32 total hits.

The Rangers have yet to decide who their starter will be. Sonny Gray is on the 15-day IL and Max Scherzer is listed as out. If Texas starts Nathan Eovaldi or Jordan Montgomery, there’s a good chance the Rangers may not use either for the rest of the series.

Eovaldi last threw on Oct 10. Montgomery threw on Oct 8. Montgomery or Eovaldi could start, but then the Rangers would have kept Dave Dunning on the bench for at least 9 days, which might not be ideal.

No matter who Texas starts, the mix of Verlander, set up relievers Bryan Abreu and Hector Neris, and closer Ryan Pressley will be too much. Laying the -1.5 on the Astros is the play.

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