Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros Prediction: Can Framber Valdez, Astros Even the ALCS in Game 2?
Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros Prediction: Can Framber Valdez, Astros Even the ALCS in Game 2?
The Houston Astros and Texas Rangers face off in Game 2 of the ALCS tonight from Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. The Rangers were able to take Game 1 behind an amazing pitching effort from Jordan Montgomery and the bullpen, holding the Astros scoreless on just five hits. Can the pitching remain strong in Game 2? Or will the Astros get their bats going and even the series?
Rangers vs. Astros Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: October 16, 2023
- Game Time: 4:37 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: FOX, FS1
Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros Prediction
The Astros find themselves down 0-1 in the series, but this squad is so fit for October, I do not expect them to feel any pressure. It's hard to believe, but this is the seventh-straight league championship series for the Astros. They have made it to the World Series in four of their last six seasons, winning it twice. They are the defending champions, meaning this team is more built for October than any other team in the MLB right now. The experience does affect players because it means they do not have bad at-bats because of nerves and make fewer mistakes in the field.
The Astros were not able to get their bats going at all in Game 1 against Montgomery or the bullpen, but I expect that to change in Game 2. The Astros have seen Eovaldi well, especially at the top of the order. Jose Altuve, leading off, is 11-38 off Eovaldi for a .289 average and five home runs. Alex Bregman, in the two spot today, is 8-19 for a .421 average off Eovaldi. Kyle Tucker behind him is 4-14 with a .286 average off Eovaldi, and Alvarez from the four spot is an insane 8-11 for a .727 average and a home run off Eovaldi. Every person in the Astros lineup today has at least one home run hit off Eovaldi except Chas McCormick and Martin Maldonado.
With the 1-4 hitters batting so well off Eovaldi, I expect the Astros to put runs up early. Even near the bottom, Pena has a .400 average off Eovaldi and Maldonado has a .333, so that is an opportunity for baserunners to get on for the top of the order to bring them home. The last time Eovaldi pitched against the Astros was on September 5th, just over a month ago, and he gave up four earned runs in 1.1 innings. He did have a good outing against them in his other start this season against Houston, but he has been mostly inconsistent against this dominant team. In his career, Eovaldi has a 4.42 ERA in 10 starts against the Astros.
On the other side, Framber Valdez gets the start. Valdez struggled in his first start of the postseason against the Twins, giving up five earned runs in 4.1 innings, but I like him to bounce back today. The Rangers have been crushing righty pitchers, and they are one of the best in the league against righties, but Valdez is a lefty. The Rangers have been much worse against lefties, ranking 29th in the last 30 days against lefties with a .543 OPS. They are also dead last with a .167 batting average. Valdez is also one of the best in the league at inducing double plays when runners are on base, which is the easiest way to get out of a jam. I think Valdez goes at least six innings tonight and limits the Ranger's bats.
The Astros are coming into game two as the most experienced team in the postseason. They have been here time and time again, and I do not see them starting 0-2 in the ALCS. The Rangers have been red-hot in the playoffs so far, but they are facing a lefty today after facing all righties so far. This will be a stiff test against a man who had a 3.35 ERA at Minute Maid Park this season. The Astros bats will wake up in game two and they will even the series.
Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros Pick
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Article Author
Ben Rajavuori is a handicapper out of Minneapolis, MN. He has been creating sports content for almost four years now and is an expert in all things NFL, MLB, NBA, UFC, and NCAAB. Ben thrives on diving deep into statistics to find the best angle on every bet. You can follow him on Twitter @WeBeatTheSpread.