Texas Rangers (90-72) vs. Houston Astros (90-72)
Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros 10/23/23 – As the Major League Baseball postseason heats up, Texas Rangers and Houston Astros find themselves tied at 90-72 records, ready to face each other in ALCS Game 7. Tied 3-3 in the series, both teams have given it their all in pursuit of World Series contention – this Monday night showdown will no doubt draw fans and bettors alike with many looking for top MLB free picks to help win them their bid for World Series berth.
The Rangers have shown impressive on-field form this season, scoring 881 runs at an outstanding average batting average of 0.263 and posting an unblemished 7-0 away record during their recent away matches. Their recent results speak volumes of their resilience.
As for the Astros, despite having a slightly lower batting average (0.259), they have long been a formidable presence at Minute Maid Park and will look to their past success against the Rangers as they face their toughest matchup yet.
Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros Game Info
| When: | Monday, October 23, 2023 at 8:03 PM ET |
| Where: | Minute Maid Park |
| TV: | FOX |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Max Scherzer (13-6 W-L, 3.77 ERA) vs. Cristian Javier (10-5 W-L, 4.56 ERA)
Max Scherzer has been instrumental in leading the Texas Rangers to this critical point of the postseason. Boasting an impressive 13-6 win-loss record and 3.77 ERA, Scherzer is unparalleled when it comes to controlling games and making batters miss. His 174 strikeouts over 152.2 innings speak volumes about his aggressive pitching style; often hitting 90+ MPH with his fastball while befuddling opponents with his changeup. Nevertheless, while most of the season he was unflappable; 28 home runs allowed against power hitters show slight vulnerabilities that should be exploited as opposed to being unflegged.
Cristian Javier of the Astros has quickly established himself as one of their rising stars this season, boasting a 10-5 record and 4.56 ERA while showing signs of brilliance throughout 162 innings pitched. Javier amassed 159 strikeouts over 162 innings he pitched; these impressive stats stand in stark contrast to his 62 walks issued; any lack of concentration could give the Rangers ample opportunities.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Houston Astros -122, Total Odds: 9.5
Current odds provide an intriguing glimpse of how the game may pan out. Bookmakers appear to favor Houston by giving them an edge at Minute Maid Park with Houston receiving a slight lean on the moneyline (-122 against) reflecting their potential success there, yet still not overwhelming so due to how close this matchup may be. Total odds set at 9.5 suggest an expectation for an evenly scored contest, in line with recent performances by both teams; an over/under benchmark suggests both offensive lineups could come together and score 10+ runs, making betting on total odds equally as intriguing as game outcome!
Texas Rangers Betting Trends
Recent trends reveal the Rangers’ penchant for high-scoring games, with four out of their last five totaling over the total score. Their recent 8-3 SU record in 11 games further highlights their strong form. Unfortunately, however, facing off against an Astros team with a 4-10 SU record in 14 encounters could prove challenging; but recent road performances (7-0 SU in last 7) and their success at Minute Maid Park (4-1 SU in last 5 visits) can provide them with much-needed motivational boosts.
Houston Astros Betting Trends
The Astros, much like their Rangers counterparts, have witnessed four out of their last five games end with totals going OVER. At 10-4 SU over their past 14 contests and an 8-10 record against Texas (while 1-7 at home in that span) may add some unpredictability into this matchup.
Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros 10/23/23 Betting Picks
Examining stats, form and recent trends reveals this game to be an exciting contest. While the Astros hold home field advantage and historical dominance over their opponent Rangers, their recent road form makes them formidable opponents.
Given the recent history of high scores and Game 7’s significance, taking over on total seems logical today. Given their road success and value offered by taking them against the spread could also provide premium picks today.
Free Pick and Prediction: Texas Rangers 6, Houston Astros 5