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ALCS Game 1: Best MLB Parlay for Rangers vs Astros

· Oct 14 - 3 minutes read

This season, it’s an all-Lone Star State American League Championship series, with the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros meeting.

The Rangers dominated most of the regular season before stumbling into the playoffs and then going undefeated in their first five games. You gotta love baseball. Despite their 5-0 record in the postseason, the Rangers are underdogs on the MLB odds board in this series (+110) and Game 1 (+125).

ALCS Game 1: Best MLB Parlay for Rangers vs Astros — David Berding / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The Astros had a rough regular season before finding their groove in the second half and coming from behind to take the AL West out from under the Rangers. They made quick work of the Twins with a 3-1 series win in the ALDS and allowed only five runs to score in Games 2,3 and 4 combined.

Astros with Pitching Advantage in Game 1

Nothing against LHP Jordan Montgomery (10-11, 3.20), but he will have to toss a gem if he hopes to outduel Justin Verlander (13-8, 3.22) on Sunday in Texas. Unlike fellow future Hall-of-Famer Clayton Kershaw, Verlander has been very good in the postseason at 17-11 with a 3.54 ERA and 236 strikeouts in 36 starts.

Montgomery is 1-0 with a 2.55 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 17⅔ inningsduring the playoffs. However, He has poor numbers against the Astros’ current offense, including allowing a .275 batting average and .676 OPS in 80 career at-bats.

I’m a little surprised that Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t given the start here, but he will take over in Game 2, with Max Scherzer potentially returning as well.

Verlander’s numbers against the Rangers are good but not great; Texas has a .241 average in 133 at-bats. I was impressed that he allowed just three home runs against Texas in over 130 plate appearances. Keep that in mind if you plan on MLB live betting on Game 1 home run props.

Best Picks for MLB Parlays

MLB betting is too much fun just to make one wager on a game this big. Instead, I wanted to spread the love to a few MLB picks and whip up a parlay for Sunday.

Martin Maldonado Over 0.5 Hits (+115)

Martin Maldonado might seem like a strange choice for a Game 1 player prop on a team full of high-caliber hitters, but I have my reasons. The primary reason I like Maldonado here, aside from the juicy MLB lines, is that, in four at-bats against Montgomery, Maldonado is 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs.

Every day, every week, we try to explain why Martin Maldonado is an important part of this team regardless of his offense. Yet you folks still can’t grasp it. Maybe you’ll listen to Carlos? pic.twitter.com/tkATSYIPPO

— PostSzn LMac 🫧 (@Lmac_1326) October 12, 2023

Verlander Over 5.5 Strikeouts (+106)

I love this line for Verlander in his most crucial start since being rescued by the Astros from a slow death on the New York Mets. Verlander hasn’t thrown fewer than five strikeouts in a game since Sept. 1 and only once in his previous nine starts. One of those starts was a six-strikeout game against the Rangers last month. Verlander hurled seven innings of one-run ball while allowing just four hits and one walk.

If you feel spicy, you can wager Verlander Over 5.5 & Astros to Win at +210.