Minute Maid Park hosts a monumental showdown between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros on Monday evening. The two teams will meet for Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, with the winner advancing to the 2023 World Series. The Astros host the win-or-go-home game, though the Rangers are unbeaten with three wins in Houston during this 2023 MLB playoffs series. Cristian Javier is the scheduled starting pitcher for Houston, and Texas will counter with Max Scherzer on the mound.
First pitch is scheduled for 8:03 p.m. ET from Houston. SportsLine consensus lists Houston as -130 money line favorites (risk $130 to win $100) in the latest Rangers vs. Astros odds. The total number of runs Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 9. Before making any Astros vs. Rangers picks or MLB predictions, be sure to check out the latest MLB predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times. It went 331-285 on top-rated MLB money-line picks (+357) over the past two seasons. It entered the NLCS and ALCS of the 2023 MLB playoffs 93-74 on all top-rated MLB picks this season and has excelled on top-rated run-line picks, going 18-6 (+766). Anybody following has seen big returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Rangers vs. Astros and just locked in its picks and MLB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several MLB betting lines and trends for Astros vs. Rangers:
- Rangers vs. Astros money line: Astros -130, Rangers +111
- Rangers vs. Astros over/under: 9 runs
- Rangers vs. Astros run line: Astros -1.5 (+158)
- Texas: The Rangers are 47-41 in road games
- Houston: The Astros are 40-46 in home games
- Rangers vs. Astros picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why you should back the Rangers
Texas is explosive on offense, as evidenced by both the regular season and the 2023 MLB playoffs. The Rangers lead the AL postseason field with a .458 slugging percentage and .793 OPS, producing 18 home runs and 20 doubles in 11 playoff games. That comes after a regular season in which the Rangers led the American League in virtually every offensive category. That includes runs scored (881), hits (1,470), home runs (233), walks (599), batting average (.263), on-base percentage (.337), slugging percentage (.452), and OPS (.790), and Texas also has star power.
Two-time All-Star Adolis Garcia has five home runs and a .617 slugging percentage in the playoffs after hitting 39 home runs during the 2023 regular season. Corey Seager was scalding-hot in the regular season (1.013 OPS in 119 games), and he has been just as impressive under the bright lights. Seager has a 1.017 OPS with more walks (11) than strikeouts (seven) in 10 playoff games, and Texas will keep the pressure on Houston after a memorable Game 6 victory. See which team to back here.
Why you should back the Astros
The Astros bring a potent offense, but Houston also has the stronger pitching projection for Game 7. Houston's bullpen has been dominant in the 2023 MLB playoffs, including a 3.07 ERA in postseason action. The Astros lead MLB with a 0.90 WHIP and .169 batting average against in the playoffs, and Houston has the most strikeouts (49) in the postseason with nearly four times as many strikeouts as walks (13).
Houston can also trust in Javier to provide quality innings as he was strong in Houston's Game 3 win, and he has a 0.82 ERA in his last four playoff starts. Javier also has a 2.08 career playoff ERA in 43.1 innings, and Minute Maid Park has been friendly to him in the past. In fact, Javier has a 2.87 career ERA in home regular season outings, and his lengthy track record (3.57 career ERA in regular season games) speaks for itself. See which team to back here.
How to make Rangers vs. Astros picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 8.3 combined runs. It also says one side of the money line has all the value. You can only get the model's MLB picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Astros vs. Rangers, and which side of the money line has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side you need to jump on, all from the model that has gone 93-74 on its top-rated MLB picks, and find out.
