Houston at Texas

Houston was a beast on the road during the regular season (51-30) and just won Games 3 and 4 at Texas, 8-5 and 10-3. The Astros are also 7-1 in Globe Life Park with a +39 run differential against Texas. Houston is on a 32-12 run on the road in the second half of the season, plus 18-5 in October games. In his last four starts (two in the postseason), Justin Verlander has allowed 3 runs in 25+ innings. The Houston bullpen was sixth during the regular season with a 3.56 ERA and has been fourth (2.41 ERA) in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Texas is 9-23 at home after three straight games versus a division rival. The Rangers are 12-21 in the last 33 starts made by Jordan Montgomery and Texas has had the third-worst postseason bullpen (3.79 ERA). That bullpen was 23rd (4.77 ERA) during the regular season. With Texas 25-57 at home off a loss by six or more runs to a divisional opponent, back the defending champs. Play Houston.