It’s do or die for the Rangers as the Astros have sucked away any momentum the Rangers had from a seven-game win streak during the playoffs. The bullpen was a strength during the win streak but faltered mightily in Game 5. Nathan Eovaldi has been dominant in three Rangers starts during the playoffs and they’ve won seven of his last eight starts. The wild card here is Framber Valdez who the Astros have lost three of his last four starts while he allowed 20 runs combined and all four went Over. The top play in this game is the Over.

The Rangers are facing elimination, but at least they have Nathan Eovaldi on the mound. He has been excellent in the playoffs, giving up five runs over 19 2/3 innings. That included him holding the Astros to three runs over six innings in Game 2. Meanwhile, Astros starter Framber Valdez has allowed 10 runs (nine earned) over seven innings in his two postseason starts. The Rangers touched him up for five runs (four earned) over 2 2/3 innings in Game 2. Look for Eovaldi to help the Rangers stay alive.

A pretty definitive pattern in this series, we'd say, with the road team winning the first five games, more than vaguely similar to the 2019 World Series involving these same Astros and the Nats (Houston lost because it couldn't win any of the four games at home). The home thing has bother Houston since the regular season, too; they're now 40-45 at Minute Maid this season (1-3 in the playoffs), with Sunday starter Framber Valdez having an 11.57 playoff ERA. meanwhile, Texas has won all three Nathan Eovaldi playoff starts in which he has spun a solid 2.29 ERA. Play Rangers on Money Line