Astros vs. Rangers ALCS Game 4 odds, props, predictions: Shootout in store?

The Sporting News
 
Astros vs. Rangers ALCS Game 4 odds, props, predictions: Shootout in store?

The Astros overcame Max Scherzer to take their first win of the ALCS on Wednesday, and they look to Jose Urquidy in Game 4 hoping to even the series at two games apiece. Let’s take a look at odds, props, predictions and series price for ALCS Game 4. 

The Astros' backs were against the wall in Game 3 facing one of the best playoff pitchers from this era of baseball down 2-0 in the ALCS. Houston was able to put runs on the board against Scherzer, making his first playoff start of 2023, and the Astros added another three runs off the Rangers bullpen. Then they held on against a Rangers comeback attempt. 

Game 4, while not quite as close to a must-win for Houston as Game 3, is still very crucial, as only six teams have come back to win a series down 3-1 since 2003. ALCS Game 4 will pit Urquidy against Rangers lefty Andrew Heaney.

Odds for Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers ALCS Game 4

Most moneylines opened with the Rangers as slight favorites to win Game 4, though some sportsbooks opened with the Astros as the run line favorite.

This shows just how close the sportsbook oddsmakers think Game 4 will be and how the series price might change leading up to the game. See the latest live odds below for Game 4 of the ALCS.

Updated ALCS series price

Having brought the series back to within reach and now only down 2-1, the Astros' odds to win the ALCS are pulling closer to even. The ALCS series price continues to change, but the best value odds for the Astros to win the ALCS as of early Thursday were +210 at Caesars Sportsbook. The best value odds for the Rangers to win the ALCS were -130 at Bet365.

Houston Astros betting news

In our Game 3 ALCS preview, we said that some Astros stars had yet to produce in this series and would need to show up. Those three players, Jose Altuve, Jose Abreu and Kyle Tucker, did just that. After going a combined 1-for-23 in the first two games of the ALCS, the three Astros went 4-for-12 at the plate with three walks and accounted for five runs.

Combine that with Yordan Alvarez, who continues to mash, and Mauricio Dubon going 3-for-4. Christian Javier gave Houston a solid start, and the bullpen was a little shaky but held the Rangers off in the end. 

In Game 4, Houston is giving the ball to Urquidy to make his second playoff start. Urquidy had an up and down regular season, but he gave the Astros a quality start against the Twins. Houston would take it if he could emulate that outing, going 5-plus innings and limiting the Rangers to two runs. 

Texas Rangers betting news

The Rangers took it on the chin early and did not get the performance they expected from Scherzer on the mound. Give credit to Texas, as they fought back, made it a ball game late and scored at least one run against every Houston relief pitcher until the Astros closer threw a scoreless inning in the ninth. 

Josh Jung had a fantastic Game 3 with two home runs and four RBIs. It was not enough, but the Rangers lineup should still have plenty of confidence coming into Game 4. Andrew Heaney is getting the ball in Game 4 for the Rangers. He had one start in the playoffs, giving up one run over 3.2 innings. 

Texas has to be hoping for a longer outing during this stretch of three games in a row. Even if he gives up a few runs, Heaney needs to give the Rangers at least five innings, especially after Scherzer had a short outing in Game 3.

Astros vs. Rangers player props for ALCS Game 4

FanDuel Sportsbook has some excellent player props for Game 4 of the ALCS. Check out some of their fantastic promos for new users as well if you're getting in on the MLB playoff betting action for the first time.

ALCS pitcher props

  • Jose Urquidy
    • 3+ K's (-250)
    • 4+ K's (+108)
    • 5+ K's (+265)
    • 6+ K's (+600)
  • Andrew Heaney
    • 3+ K's (-210)
    • 4+ K's (+130)
    • 5+ K's (+320)
    • 6+ K's (+800)

ALCS batter props

  • Jose Altuve
    • 1+ hit (-320)
    • 1+ run (-150)
    • 1+ RBI (+150)
  • Corey Seager
    • 1+ hit (-310)
    • 1+ run (-130)
    • 1+ RBI (+115)
  • Marcus Semien
    • 1+ hit (-300)
    • 1+ run (-140)
    • 1+ RBI (+145)
  • Kyle Tucker
    • 1+ hit (-280)
    • 1+ run (-110)
    • 1+ RBI (+135)
  • Alex Bregman
    • 1+ hit (-290)
    • 1+ run (-135)
    • 1+ RBI (+150)
  • Jose Abreu
    • 1+ hit (-250)
    • 1+ run (+100)
    • 1+ RBI (+130)
  • Adolis Garcia
    • 1+ hit (-250)
    • 1+ run (-125)
    • 1+ RBI (+115)

ALCS Game 4 prediction: Astros even series in a high-scoring battle

Game 3 was a high-scoring affair, and we expect Game 4 to be much of the same. Heaney posted a 4.15 ERA in the regular season, while Urquidy's mark was 5.29. Both have pitched decently in the postseason, but one or both could give up some runs against these high-powered offenses in Game 4. 

This matchup could come down to bullpen performance and which offense shows up. With several Astros stars breaking out in Game 3 after rough starts to the series, the Houston lineup is heating up. That could be tough for the Rangers to handle, especially with a bullpen that had to work five innings in Game 3.