Rangers vs. Astros odds, picks: Predictions and best bets for Sunday's ALCS Game 1 from advanced MLB computer model
The American League Championship Series starts Sunday when the Houston Astros host the Texas Rangers in ALCS Game 1 at Minute Maid Park. The Rangers swept the AL-East champion Orioles in the ALDS, while Houston beat AL Central winner Minnesota 3-1. That sets up an AL West showdown for the American League pennant, after both teams finished 90-72 and the Astros won the division on a tiebreaker.
Rangers vs. Astros is set for 8:15 p.m. ET in Houston. The SportsLine consensus Rangers vs. Astros odds list Houston as a -140 favorite (risk $140 to win $100) and Texas as a +118 underdog on the money line, while the over/under is 8.5 runs. (See up-to-date odds for every game this week on our MLB odds page).
Before you make any Astros vs. Rangers picks, you NEED to check out the MLB predictions 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 second week of the 2023 MLB playoffs 92-74 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!
The model knows the Astros have won eight of their past 10 games, while Texas lost four of six to end the regular season to give up the AL West title. Houston also has won five of the past six meetings with the Rangers and is the defending World Series champion. Outfielder Yordan Alvarez was red-hot in the ALDS, hitting four homers in the four games, and Jose Abreu drove in eight runs. Veteran Justin Verlander (7-3, 3.31 ERA) is expected to start.
The model has also considered that Texas outscored the Rays and Orioles by a combined 32-12 in sweeping the five games. Corey Seager hit .429 with three doubles, and Adolis Garcia had two homers and 14 total bases over those series. Seager had 33 home runs and Garcia had 39 in the regular season, and they combined for 203 RBI. Left-hander Jordan Montgomery, who went 10-11 but had a 3.20 ERA in the regular season, is the scheduled starter.
The advanced computer model has broken down Rangers vs. Astros from all angles and revealed its picks. We can tell you the model is leaning Under the total, and it also says one side of the spread hits in almost 70% of simulations! You ABSOLUTELY need to see it before locking in any MLB picks.
