Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers 10/20/23 – With the ALCS at 2-2, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers have engaged in an epic battle for supremacy in the American League. Both teams have proven their strength and resilience throughout this series; tonight will see veteran Justin Verlander taking the mound for Houston while Jordan Montgomery pitches for Texas. MLB free picks today may prove especially difficult given these teams’ closely aligned statistics and recent performances.
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers
Date & Time: Friday, October 20, 2023 at 5:07 PM ET
Location: Globe Life Field
TV: FS1
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers 10/20/23 Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Astros | -102 | +1.5 (-200) | 8.5 over (-110) |
| Rangers | -108 | -1.5 (+175) | 8.5 under (-110) |
Houston Astros Analysis
The Astros have shown off their offensive prowess this season with their impressive.259 batting average and 1441 hits and 222 home runs. Producing 827 runs this season and boasting an OBP of.331, they remain a formidable offensive threat that consistently threatens opposing teams.
On defense, the Astros have established themselves as one of baseball’s premier teams with an outstanding ERA and WHIP of 3.94 and 1.28 respectively. Their pitching staff has issued 537 walks while striking out 1460 batters to demonstrate their ability to limit offensive attacks when it matters most; opponents find their batting average against them only.241.
Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros is no stranger to high-pressure situations. With an 1-1 win-loss record this postseason and an impressive 1.42 ERA over 12.2 innings pitched while striking out 11 batters, Verlander will bring his veteran experience and knowledge of pitching against Oakland today.
Texas Rangers Analysis
The Texas Rangers have also been an outstanding offensive team this season. Achieve an average batting percentage of.263, they have amassed 1470 hits and 233 homers. Furthermore, their 881 runs scored and OBP of.337 prove they can match up against any hit from Astros pitchers.
On defense, the Rangers possess an average earned run average of 4.28 while maintaining an impressive 1.27 WHIP mark. They have given away less walks (491), yet also have fewer strikeouts (1351). Opponents have registered only a.245 batting average against them which shows their ability to hold their own in tight situations.
Jordan Montgomery has made two starts for the Rangers this postseason with an impressive 2.08 ERA over 17.1 innings pitched; giving up 20 hits while striking out 13. With his proven performance and track record in hand, Montgomery could give them an edge in this crucial Game 5.
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Against the Spread
The Astros, in recent times, have shown consistent performance, especially on the road. Their impressive 9-3 straight-up record in their last 12 games against the Rangers and an undefeated 8-0 record in their last 8 road games indicate their adaptability. Betting trends show that totals have gone OVER in most of their recent games, suggesting high-scoring encounters.
The Rangers, not to be outdone, have a 7-2 straight-up record in their last 9 games. Moreover, totals have gone OVER in 7 of their last 8 games against the Astros, emphasizing the high-scoring nature of their encounters. They’ve held their ground especially at home, with an impressive 8-3 record against American League opponents.
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Free Pick
Based on odds, trends, team stats, and starting pitchers, here are the picks:
Moneyline: Astros -102
Given Verlander’s experience and the Astros’ recent performance against the Rangers, they seem to have the edge.
Spread: Astros +1.5 (-200)
The Astros have proven their resilience, especially on the road. Expect a close game, making the Astros a safer bet with the spread.
Total: 8.5 over (-110)
Given the recent high-scoring nature of both teams’ games, especially their encounters, expect this game to have a total score exceeding 8.5.
Predicted Score: Houston Astros 6, Texas Rangers 5
In conclusion, while this game promises to be a nail-biter, the Houston Astros, given their recent form and Verlander’s experience, seem to have a slight advantage. However, the Rangers, with their home advantage, won’t go down easily. For those using an online sportsbook in Canada or anywhere else, the most reliable pick would likely be the total going over 8.5, given the high-scoring history between these two teams.
