The Texas Rangers won the first two games in Houston but have dropped three straight. Losing Game 5 wouldn't be so bad but it was how they lost it that could be back-breaking. Texas had won seven straight in the playoffs. The Rangers will send Nathan Eovaldi to the mound to keep their season alive. He has been great in the playoffs, posting a 3-0 record and a 2.29 ERA. The Astros will look to punch their ticket to the World Series with Framber Valdez on the bump. He is 0-2, with a bloated 11.57 ERA. Valdez has been effective at home this season, with a 3.35 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP in 16 regular season starts. He is 4-3 with a 2.66 ERA in nine regular-season home starts against the Rangers in his career. The Houston pitching staff has limited the Rangers to four runs or less in four of the five games played in the series so far. Houston won nine of 13 regular season games played against the Rangers in 2023, going 3-3 at home. With Evoldi on the mound against Valdez, the Rangers have an edge. With the way the Rangers lost Game 5 and the way the Astros seem to take advantage of every break I am taking the Astros to finish off the series.

Play on Houston. This is a 3% play.