Astros vs. Rangers ALCS Game 5 odds, props, predictions: Houston slight favorite on series price

We still haven't seen a home team win a game in the ALCS, as the Astros racked up the runs in Game 4 to tie up the series at two games apiece in Arlington. Game 5 returns to Globe Life Field at 5:07 p.m. ET on Friday, marking the series' third game in as many days. Let’s take a look at odds, prop and predictions for ALCS Game 5, plus an updated series price. 

Neither starting pitcher made it past the third inning in Game 4. Andrew Heaney did not make it out of the first, giving up three earned runs on four hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning. Astros starter Jose Urquidy only recorded one out in the third inning before Ryne Stanek replaced him. Stanek finished the inning without allowing any runs.

Game 5 could be interesting from a pitching standpoint, as the Astros used four relievers for a combined 6.1 innings in Game 3. The Rangers used five relievers for a combined 8.1 innings. 

Houston and Texas will return to their Game 1 starters, and both are likely to be required to pitch deep into the game since the bullpens for both teams are currently overworked.

Odds for Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers ALCS Game 5

ALCS Game 5 is expected to be closely contested, with the Rangers opening as slight favorites. The line is so close that it could jump back and forth until the first pitch.

Here are the ALCS Game 5 live odds. Keep an eye on them if you have a favorite in Game 5; chances are you can wait until the right moment to make a wager and get more favorable odds. 

Updated ALCS series price

With the ALCS tied at 2-2, the updated series price puts the Ranges and Astros as close to one another as they have been since before the start of the series.

Also read: World Series MVP odds 

Houston Astros betting news

The Astros bats came alive in a big way in Games 3 and 4 of the ALCS. It had to happen for the Astros to remain in the chase to win the Commissioner's trophy in back-to-back seasons. Having done next to nothing in the first two games of the ALCS, Astros star players like Jose Altuve and Jose Abreu delivered in Games 3 and 4.

Yordan Alvarez has stayed hot all series, and Mauricio Dubon has been a surprise producer at the plate, with five hits after only having two in the previous series. Dubon has brought his playoff batting average to a ridiculous .471. 

The Astros should be confident in Game 5 with their hot bats and ace Justin Verlander on the mound. Verlander was traded before the deadline and returned to Houston, where he had spent his previous five seasons. He was the losing pitcher in Game 1 of the ALCS. 

Verlander had a strong outing in the opening game, pitching 6.2 innings and allowing only two runs. However, the Astros were shut out in Game 1. The Astros bats have heated up; if Verlander can repeat his Game 1 performance, he stands a better chance to be the winning pitcher this time around.

Texas Rangers betting news

The Rangers have not played their best baseball and need to get back on track quickly. If the Rangers lose Game 5, it is doubtful they could win two in a row in Houston to make it to the World Series. The Rangers will give the ball to Jordan Montgomery, who pitched a gem in Game 1. 

Montgomery has been excellent throughout the playoffs. In Montgomery's three playoff starts, he has a 2.08 ERA in 17.1 innings pitched. The Rangers' bats have gone cold, and with Verlander on the mound the home team will need Montgomery to give them a great outing, as runs will likely be hard to come by in Game 5.

The Rangers have been hitting the ball but have not done it as a team. There are a lot of innings where only one player gets a hit. Analyzing the box score, one could observe that in Game 4, the Rangers were only out-hit by three but outscored by seven. The Rangers must draw a few more walks and come up with more clutch hits to stay in this series. 

Astros vs. Rangers player props for ALCS Game 5

Take a look at some excellent value player props FanDuel Sportsbook has for ALCS Game 5.

ALCS Game 5 pitcher props

• Justin Verlander
  • Strikeouts over 4.5 (-142) / under 4.5 (+112)
  • Outs recorder over 16.5 (-140) / under 16.5 (+108)
• Jordan Montgomery
  • Strikeouts over 3.5 (-152) / under 3.5 (+120)
  • Outs recorder over 16.5 (-108) / under 16.5 (-120)

ALCS Game 5 batting props

• Jose Abreu 
  • 1+ hits (-220)
  • 1+ RBIs (+140)
• Kyle Tucker 
  • 1+ hits (-240)
  • 1+ RBIs (+135)
• Yordan Alvarez 
  • 2+ hits (+195)
  • 1+ RBIs (+110)
• Jose Altuve
  • 2+ hits (+175)
  • 1+ RBIs (+150)
• Adolis Garcia 
  • 1+ hits (-230)
  • 1+ RBIs (+115)
• Marcus Semien 
  • 2+ hits (+230)
  • 1+ RBIs (+175)
• Corey Seager 
  • 2+ hits (+200)
  • 1+ RBIs (+120)
• FanDuel Popular Parlay
  • Jose Altuve to record a hit, Yordan Alvarez to record a hit, Justin Verlander 5+ strikeouts, Jordan Montgomery 5+ strikeouts (+765).

ALCS Game 5 prediction: Verlander leads Astros to a 3-2 series lead

One key factor plays into Game 5 more than any other: Pitching depth is crucial, as both the Rangers and Astros are playing three games in three days. Games 3 and 4 saw a lot of innings pitched by the two bullpens.

Astros starter Justin Verlander is a first-ballot Hall of Famer; this will be his 37th playoff start. Expect Verlander to have a vintage performance pitching deeper than Montgomery, leading the Astros to a 3-2 ALCS lead.