Rangers vs Astros Predictions, Picks, Odds: No Matter the Outcome, There Shall be Fireworks

The ALCS comes down to a winner-take-all showdown at Minute Maid Park when the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers collide in Game 7 tonight.

The Rangers came through with a big 9-2 win on Sunday, capped off by a ninth-inning grand slam from Adolis Garcia, and now sit one win away from their first World Series appearance since 2011. World Series odds and MLB odds still have them as a slight underdog to get the job done, though.

Texas will hand the ball over to Max Scherzer, who was disappointing in Game 3. Will Scherzer bounce back or will Houston reach the World Series for the third straight year? Find out in our Rangers vs. Astros MLB picks and MLB playoff predictions for Monday, October 23.

Rangers vs Astros odds

Rangers vs Astros Game 7 odds

Rangers vs Astros predictions

After dropping three straight games to the Houston Astros in Arlington, the Texas Rangers responded in a big way by putting up nine runs in Game 6 to keep the series alive. It was their biggest run total since Game 2 of the ALDS and four more than they’ve scored in any other contest this series. 

It was a slow start offensively for both clubs in Game 1 with a 2-0 win for Houston, but we’ve seen these teams combine for at least nine runs in every game since, which is why I’m taking the Over tonight.

Max Scherzer will make his second start of the series following a dismal Game 3 performance where he was rocked for five hits and five earned runs over four innings. The 2019 World Series champ was sidelined for a month with a shoulder injury prior to that start, which could explain the rust.

The Astros have been locked in offensively this series, averaging 7.40 runs per game since Game 2, so I’m not confident Scherzer will be able to shake off the cobwebs. 

The Rangers led the American League with 881 runs scored during the regular season and the Astros ranked third with 827. Both teams have swatted 18 homers throughout the postseason with Yordan Alvarez leading all players with six long balls in 10 games (he's also slashing .436/.477/.949, making him as close to an impossible out as you can find).

Adolis Garcia's grand slam last night was his fifth of the postseason and no one has driven in more runs than he has (15).

The Over is 8-1-1 in the last 10 meetings between the Rangers and Astros, with the clubs combining for at least nine runs in nine of those contests, so don’t be surprised if we see another high-scoring battle tonight.

DraftKings also is offering a 25% profit boost on one MLB bet today, which if applied could move this play up to almost +120, adding even more value on fireworks in Houston.

My best bet: Over 9 (-105 at DraftKings | +119 with profit boost)

Rangers vs Astros same-game parlay

Over 9.5

Adolis Garcia 1+ RBI

Yordan Alvarez 2+ total bases

25% boost available

+450 +562 at DraftKings

Along with the Over on 9.5 runs, we’ll round out tonight’s same-game parlay by honing in on two sluggers that have been red hot during this series.

Garcia leads Texas with 15 RBI in 11 games this postseason, driving in at least one run in each of his last five contests with 10 total over that span. He should be good for at least one more tonight.

We’ll also look to Alvarez to continue his hit streak for the Astros, taking him to record at least two total bases. Alvarez has multiple hits in five straight outings. But even if he's limited to only one knock, he's always a threat for extra bases.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Rangers vs Astros moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The Astros opened as the home favorite for Game 7, coming in at -116 on the moneyline, while the total opened at 10 runs before sliding down to 9 or even 8.5 at most books by this morning.

It’s always hard to bet against Scherzer, but this is one of the rare instances where the opposing team might have the edge on the mound. While Scherzer struggled in his last start coming off injury, Cristian Javier has been solid for the Astros this postseason, holding a 2-0 record along with a minuscule 1.69 ERA through two starts. 

Javier hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in three straight outings and coupled with a hot Houston offense, I’m taking the Astros to reach their third straight World Series.

While I think you could certainly make an argument to take the Under in a Game 7 between two talented starters, the trends are too strong to ignore as this series has been a complete slugfest. With the Over going 4-1-0 in the last five contests, it's the play again tonight, especially if you can lock in at 8.5 or 9 runs.

Trend to know

Houston is 10-4 in its last 14 games. Find more MLB betting trends for Rangers vs. Astros

Rangers vs Astros game info

Starting pitchers

Max Scherzer (0-1, 11.25 ERA): Scherzer has faced the Astros three times this year through the regular season and postseason, allowing a combined 13 earned runs over just 15 innings. He’s been pulled in the fourth and third inning, respectively, in his last two games vs. Houston, so we’ll see if Scherzer can break that trend in Game 7.

Cristian Javier (2-0, 1.69 ERA): Javier was solid in Game 3, holding the Rangers to three hits and two earned runs over 5.2 innings of work. His first outing of the postseason was even better when he shut the Twins out for five innings while giving up just one hit in Game 3 of the ALDS.

Latest injuries

Weather

Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Pages related to this topic