Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros – Odds, Player Props & Predictions ALCS Game 1

Sep 4, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (21) hits a three-run home run during the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY SportsAL West rivals meet in the 2023 ALCS as the Texas Rangers visit the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series on SundayHouston sends Justin Verlander to the mound while Texas counters with Jordan MontgomerySee the  Rangers vs Astros Game 1 odds, player props, and picks

The first ever all-Texas battle in the American League Championship Series starts tonight in Houston as the Astros (93-73, 40-43 home) host the Texas Rangers (95-72, 44-41 away) in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series at 8:15 pm ET.

The Rangers ride a five-game win streak into the ALCS after sweeping both Tampa Bay and Baltimore in the Wild Card and Division Series, respectively. The Astros took down Minnesota 3-1 in their best-of-five ALDS after earning a first-round bye.

Rangers vs Astros Odds (Game 1)

The Astros are -142 moneyline favorites in the MLB odds for Game 1 with the Rangers coming back as +120 road underdogs. The game total is sitting at 8.5 with the over slightly favored (-115o/-105u).

DRAFTKINGSSPORTSBOOK

Bet $5 & Get $150 in Bonus Bets Instantly!

LOCK IN PROMOSIGNUP PROMOBET $5GET $150GET PROMO

Odds as of Oct. 15 at DraftKings Sportsbook app. Lock in a DraftKings sign-up promo code to bet on Rangers vs Astros Game 1 tonight. 

The ALCS series price mirrors the odds for Game 1. Houston is -140 to advance to the World Series again in the AL Pennant odds, while Texas is +120. Experience is certainly playing a role in the series price. Houston is in the ALCS for the seventh straight year. This marks the first time since 2011 – and only the third time in franchise history – that the Rangers have advanced to this stage of the MLB playoff bracket.

The World Series odds currently list Houston as the +180 favorite. Texas is third at +260.

TEX vs HOU Game 1 Starting Pitchers

In Sunday’s MLB lineups, the Astros send three-time Cy Young-winner and two-time World Series champion Justin Verlander to the mound in Game 1, while the Rangers give the ball to Jordan Montgomery, who has just 17.2 postseason innings under his belt (11 of which came this season).

Jordan Montgomery vs Justin Verlander

MontgomeryVSVerlander

While Verlander’s postseason play the past few years had left much to be desired, he started strong in 2023, pitching six innings of shutout baseball against the Twins in Game 1 of the ALDS, scarring four hits and three walks with six strikeouts.

Montgomery has made two starts in the 2023 playoffs; the first was a seven-inning gem (no runs on six hits with five Ks against Tampa Bay) while the second was atrocious (nine hits, five runs over and just two strikeouts over four innings against the Orioles). Luckily for Montgomery, his offense pounded out nine runs in the first three innings (and 11 total) to power Texas to an 11-8 Game 2 victory.

Montgomery doesn’t have great career numbers against these Houston hitters. Cumulatively, the Astros lineup is slashing .275/.301/.375 in 80 at-bats, though they only have four extra-base hits (two home runs and two doubles). Both homers came courtesy of catcher Martin Maldonado.

Verlander’s numbers against the Rangers aren’t much better (.241/.261/.353) with three home runs, two triples, and two doubles in 133 total at-bats. Marcus Semien has hit Verlander particularly hard, going 14-43 (.326) with two home runs, a triple, a double, and three RBI.

Rangers vs Astros Game 1 Player Props

The MLB player props for Game 1 list Verlander with a strikeout prop of 5.5 shaded to the under, while his counterpart, Montgomery, is at just 3.5 with the over slightly favored.

The shortest odds to hit a home run in Rangers/Astros Game 1 belong to Adolis Garcia at a surprisingly short +290. The shortest odds among Houston players belong, as they often do, to Yordan Alvarez at +400.

BetMGM Sportsbook Promo Code SBDXL1000: Get a $1,500 Welcome BonusRead More

Rangers vs Astros Prediction for Game 1

The discrepancy in postseason hitters among both the pitchers and batters in this game is too great to ignore. Verlander may not have the best numbers against the Rangers, who have yet to lose a playoff game this year, but the same can be said of Texas’ starter, who was also hammered in a tough road environment in his last start.

Look for the Astros to jump on Montgomery early while Verlander turns in another solid performance in front of a friendly crowd.

TEX vs HOU Game 1 Picks:

Astros moneyline first 5 innings (-140)Verlander over 15.5 outs (+100)