Houston Astros at Texas Rangers Game 4 ALCS Predictions

Houston Astros at Texas Rangers Game 4 ALCS Predictions

Darin Zank
Date: October 19, 8:00 pm
Location: Globe Life Field
TV: FS1

Betting Odds

Moneyline: HOU +100/TEX -120
Total: 9.5

After taking Game 3 of this American League championship series Wednesday night, the Astros look to pull even when the teams meet for Game 4 Thursday night in Arlington.

Lefty Andrew Heaney gets the call for Texas here against Jose Urquidy for Houston.

ALCS Game 4 Betting Odds

Thursday’s playoff baseball betting market opened this game at right around a pick ‘em, with an over/under of 9.5 runs. Early betting action then slid Texas into a -120 favorite.

This ALCS began with Houston lined at -140 to win it, with the Rangers getting +120. Then, after Texas took the first two games on the road, the Rangers were chalked at -500, with the Astros getting +360. Now, at 2-1 Texas, the Rangers are listed at -245, with Houston getting +195.

ALCS Game 4 Betting Preview

After losing the first two games of this ALCS at home, Houston hit the board with an 8-5 Game 3 victory in Arlington Wednesday night. The Astros scored five runs through the first four innings against Texas starter Max Scherzer and held on from there to win themselves right back into this series.

Houston won as a +110 underdog Wednesday, and the game played over a total of nine runs.

The Astros are now 3-0 on the road this postseason.

These teams finished the regular season with identical records, 90-72, but Houston took the season series from the Rangers nine games to four.

Game 4 Pitching Match-Up

Heaney is making his second start of this postseason. Twelve days ago in the ALDS against Baltimore, he allowed one run and two hits through 3 2/3 innings of a 3-1 Texas victory.

The Rangers are 17-12 when Heaney starts this season.

Over four starts this season against Houston, Heaney allowed six runs and 17 hits through 19 2/3 innings. Texas split those four games.

Urquidy is also making his second start of this postseason. Eight days ago in the ALDS against Minnesota, he gave up two runs and three hits through 5 2/3 innings of a 3-2 Astros win.

Houston is 6-5 when Urquidy starts this season.

Over his last three starts against the Rangers, all last season, Urquidy allowed nine runs and 16 hits through 17 2/3 innings. Thanks to some good bullpen work and some decent run support, the Astros won all three of those games.

Splits With the Sticks

Houston batted .270 against left-handed pitching this season, with a .339 team OBP and a .470 team slugging percentage.

Texas slashed .261/.334/.456 against right-handed pitching.

The Bullpens

The Rangers' pen posted a 4.77 ERA this season, along with a 1.27 WHIP and a 2.76 K/BB ratio.

The Astros' bullpen put up a 3.56 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP, and a 2.70 K/BB ratio.

MLB Betting Trends

  • Texas played 50-31 at home and 62-56 against right-handed starters.

Totals Report

The overs played 83-74 in Astros games this season.

The overs played 81-69 in Rangers games.

The overs played 46-28 at Globe Life Field this season.

The overs are 10-4 in Astros-Rangers games this season.

Astros at Rangers Free MLB Pick

We give Heaney a slight edge in the pitching match-up, but we also get the feeling the bullpens will play a huge role in deciding this game. And we give Houston the check mark in that department. Also, the Astros are a great road bet and apparently love hitting at Globe Life Field. We bet Houston to win Game 3 Wednesday night, and we’re betting them again Thursday night.

Free Pick: Take the Astros +100
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