Rangers vs. Astros ALCS Game 2 Prediction

Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros
Date: Monday, October 16th, 4:37 ET
Location: Minute Maid Park
TV: FOX
Money Line: Rangers +105/Astros -125
Total Line: 8.5

Betting Preview

Here’s our betting preview for the upcoming MLB clash between the Houston Astros and the Rangers on Monday, October 16th at Minute Maid Park. We provide you with a comprehensive analysis, odds, and predictions to help with your handicapping decision or tail our expert based on the projected lineups and listed starting pitchers.

Betting Odds

Rangers vs. Astros Projected Lineup

	Batting Order	Position
Marcus Semien	1	2B
Corey Seager	2	SS
Nathaniel Lowe	3	1B
Adolis García	4	RF
Robbie Grossman	5	DH
Josh Jung	6	3B
Jonah Heim	7	C
Evan Carter	8	LF
Leody Taveras	9	CF
Nathan Eovaldi	–	SP




	Batting Order	Position
Jose Altuve	1	2B
Alex Bregman	2	3B
Yordan Alvarez	3	DH
Kyle Tucker	4	RF
José Abreu	5	1B
Michael Brantley	6	LF
Chas McCormick	7	CF
Jeremy Peña	8	SS
Martín Maldonado	9	C
Framber Valdez	–	SP




Straight Up/Over-Under/ Runline Record

Texas Rangers: 90-72 SU / OU 86-75 / Runline 94-74
Houston Astros: 90-72 SU / OU 87-75 / Runline 84-83

The Rangers head into today’s game in first place in the AL West on a record of 90-72. Over their last five games, they have put together an above .500 record of 5-0. At home, Texas is 50-31 and 40-41 on the road. Their overall series record comes in at 32-19-2.

• The Rangers have covered the runline in eight straight games and have a season-long run margin of 1.1.
• The Rangers have been favored in 66.1% of their games and have runline records of 46-36 and 48-38 at home and on the road, respectively
• The over has hit in 53% of the Rangers’ 162 games at 86-75.

On a record of 90-72, the Astros are tied for first place in the AL West. Against the Rangers, they will be seeking their 5th straight win. On the road, they have a record of 51-30 while going 39-42 at home. Houston’s overall series record is 28-19-5.

• The Astros have covered the runline in 50.3% of their games and have an average run margin of 0.8
• The Astros have been favored in 72.5% of their games and have runline records of 34-50 and 50-33 at home and on the road, respectively
• The over has hit in 54% of the Astros’ 162 games at 87-75.

Pitching Matchup




Across 27 appearances, Nathan Eovaldi has a slugging percentage allowed of .375 and enters with a WHIP of 1.14. His overall record is 12-5 on an ERA of 3.62. For the season, he has a total of 132 K’s, and is averaging 8.25 strikeouts per nine innings. Eovaldi’s record on the road is 7-2 and 7-3 at home. This includes an ERA of 4.21 (road) and 5.12 (home), respectively.

In his last outing, Nathan Eovaldi finished with a quality start and picked up the win in a 7-1 victory over the Orioles. Eovaldi gave up one run and five hits across seven innings.




Framber Valdez has an overall record of 12-11, and will get the start for the Astros. With 32 appearances, his ERA currently stands at 3.46, while his K/9 figure is 9.09. Additionally, he has a FIP of 3.50 and an OBP of .282.

Having allowed five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings against the Twins, Framber Valdez is coming off a game that resulted in a loss for the Astros.

Rangers vs. Astros Offense Outlook

As of now, the Rangers are one of the top home run hitting teams in baseball, with a total of 233 home runs (3rd). Their overall performance has been impressive, averaging 5.4 runs per game with a collective batting average of .263. When playing on the road, their slugging percentage is .404 compared to .486 at home.

Texas Rangers Top Hitters On The Road




Texas Rangers Top Hitters: Last Five Games




The Astros are proving to be one of the best home run hitting teams in baseball this season, having hit 222 home runs (6th). Overall, they are averaging 5.1 runs per game and have a collective batting average of .259. The team’s slugging percentage is .444 on the road and .403 at home.

Houston Astros Top Bats




Houston Astros Top Hitters: Last Five Games




Free MLB Pick

The run the Rangers are on has been remarkable, as they kept things rolling with their 2-0 win in game one. I’m not going to be the one to bet against them in game two and instead, I am going to take the under at 8.5 runs. I’m expecting this game to be yet another low-scoring tightly contested game.