Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros Prediction & Betting Tips - MLB

Prediction published on 18/10/2023, 03:38  by Joseph King | Modified on 18/10/2023 at 03:39 in Baseball Predictions

The Lone Star series returns to Arlington for game three of the ALCS between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros. The Rangers are in the driver's seat and are now heavy favorites to advance to the World Series against either the Phillies or the Diamondbacks. They were able to steal both games in Houston to give themselves a 2-0 series lead with the next three games on home soil. Of the 89 instances where a team has gone up 2-0 in a series in MLB history, 75 times have seen them advance (84.3%).

The Rangers now have a golden opportunity to make the World Series for only the third time in franchise history. They are one of the six MLB franchises to have never won the World Series but they are the current oddsmakers favorites to win the title. Texas shutout the Astros 2-0 on the road in the game one win and followed that up with a 5-4 game two win thanks to a four-run first inning. They are still yet to lose in the 2023 playoffs and are a perfect 7-0 up to this point following sweeps over the Rays and Orioles. Texas will start game three with Max Scherzer on the mound who will be returning after an injury has kept him out for the past month.

The Astros are in desperation mode as they simply must win game three if they are to get back in this series. While the odds are already stacked against them, the series would essentially be over if they were to lose here. Only one team has managed to come back from a 3-0 deficit in MLB history. The Astros can take solace in the fact that they finished the regular season with the third-best away record in baseball at 51-30. Their current two game losing streak put an end to what was a run of seven wins in their last eight games. Taking the mound for Houston in this crucial game three is Cristian Javier.