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The Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers play Game 4 of the best-of-7 American League Championship Series Thursday. First pitch from Globe Life Field is scheduled for 8:03 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Astros vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
ALCS: Rangers lead 2-1
The Astros were in an 0-2 series hole, staring at the possibility of being pushed to the brink. But the defending World Series champs stepped up and showed the heart of a champion, picking up an 8-5 win in Game 3 on Tuesday. Not only did Houston avoid an 0-3 series hole, but it dealt Texas its first loss of the postseason.
In fact, Houston had managed just 4 total runs scored and 11 total hits in the first 2 games of the series. It posted 8 runs and 12 hits in Game 3 to get right back into this series.
The loss in Game 3 was the first for the Rangers since losing the regular-season finale Oct. 1 in Seattle, and subsequently losing the AL West division title to the Astros.
Astros at Rangers projected starters
RHP Jose Urquidy vs. LHP Andrew Heaney
Urquidy made 11 starts and 6 relief appearances in the regular season, going 3-3 with a 5.29 ERA. He had a 1.43 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9 and 6.4 K/9 over 63 innings.
- Last start: Win, 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H (2 solo HR), 1 BB, 6 K in 3-2 win at Minnesota Twins in Game 4 of ALDS on Oct. 11
- 2023 road splits: 2-1, 4.28 ERA (27 1/3 IP, 13 ER), 1 HR in 5 starts and 1 relief appearance
- Making his 8th career postseason start and 14th overall appearance
Heaney was 10-6 with a 4.15 ERA across 28 regular-season starts and 6 relief appearances. He had a 1.38 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 9.2 K/9 in 147 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 3 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K in 3-2 win at Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of ALDS on Oct. 7
- 2023 home splits (regular season): 7-3, 4.06 ERA (84 1/3 IP, 38 ER), 10 HR in 16 starts and 3 relief appearances
- Making his 2nd career postseason start and 3rd overall appearance
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Astros at Rangers odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Astros +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Rangers -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (+164) | Rangers +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -114 | U: -106)
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Astros at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 5, Astros 4
Moneyline
The RANGERS (-120) had a little hiccup in Game 3, but they’re still very much in firm control of this series.
Urquidy was sharp for the Astros (+102) last time out, posting a win against the Twins in the ALDS. However, he has posted a 4.28 ERA on the road this season.
Despite the loss, Texas is still an impressive 7-1 in the postseason, but be careful.
Run line/Against the spread
The Rangers +1.5 (-200) will cost you 2 times your potential return, if you want a little bit of insurance, and you just can’t bring yourself to playing Texas straight up.
The Astros -1.5 (+164) showed some of that championship mettle in Game 3, and it’s tempting to roll the dice on another win of 2 or more runs. But I think the Rangers get back on track at home.
PASS.
Over/Under
The UNDER 9.5 (-106) has cashed in just 1 of the first 3 games of this series, but it’s still worth playing lightly here.
The Over is also 2-1 in the past 3 road playoff games for the Astros, including an Over result in Game 1. Still, Heaney saw the Under cash in his only previous postseason game on Oct. 7, and Urquidy also saw the total go low in Game 4 in Minnesota in his only previous start in these playoffs.
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