Astros vs. Rangers ALCS Game 7 Starting Pitcher Matchup - October 23

Updated Oct. 23, 2023 5:43 p.m. ET

Data Skrive

The Houston Astros are at home for a decisive Game 7 of the ALCS against the Texas Rangers on Monday at 8:03 PM ET at Minute Maid Park. The winner advances to the World Series.

Learn more about this Astros vs. Rangers matchup on Fox Sports.

The probable pitchers are Cristian Javier (10-5, 4.56 ERA) for the Astros against Max Scherzer (13-6, 3.77 ERA) for the Rangers.

Astros Probable Starter: Cristian Javier

Javier makes the start for the Astros, his 32nd of the season. He is 10-5 with a 4.56 ERA and 159 strikeouts in 162 2/3 innings pitched.
In his most recent appearance on Thursday, the right-hander tossed 5 2/3 innings against the Texas Rangers, giving up two earned runs while surrendering three hits.
In 31 games this season, the 26-year-old has amassed an ERA of 4.56, with 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Opponents are batting .234 against him.
Javier is trying to pick up his 12th quality start of the year in this game.
Javier will try to go five or more innings for his fourth straight start. He's averaging 5.2 innings per outing.
He has had two appearances this season in which he kept his opponents to zero earned runs.
He meets a Rangers offense that ranks third in the league with 881 runs while batting .263 as a squad. It has a collective .452 slugging percentage (third in MLB play) and has hit a total of 233 home runs (third in MLB).
Javier has thrown 10 innings, giving up 10 earned runs on 12 hits while striking out seven against the Rangers this season.
The 26-year-old ranks 37th in ERA (4.56), 31st in WHIP (1.265), and 27th in K/9 (8.8) among qualifying pitchers in MLB action this season.

Javier's Game Props

Strikeouts Prop: Over/Under 4.5 (Over Odds: -110)
Hits Prop: Over/Under 3.5 (Over Odds: -105)

Javier's Recent Appearances

Opponent	Date	IP	H	R	ER	K	BB
at Rangers	Oct. 18	5.2	3	2	2	3	1
at Twins	Oct. 10	5.0	1	0	0	9	5
at Diamondbacks	Oct. 1	6.0	3	0	0	4	2
at Mariners	Sep. 26	4.2	3	4	3	6	3
vs. Orioles	Sep. 20	5.0	3	1	1	11	2

Rangers Probable Starter: Max Scherzer

Scherzer (13-6) will take to the mound for the Rangers and make his 28th start of the season.
The right-hander's last appearance was on Thursday, when he threw four innings against the Houston Astros, giving up five earned runs while allowing five hits.
The 39-year-old has pitched to a 3.77 ERA this season with 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings compared to 2.7 walks per nine across 27 games.
In 27 starts this season, he's earned 14 quality starts.
In 27 starts this season, Scherzer has lasted five or more innings 22 times, with an average of 5.6 innings per appearance.
He has finished seven appearances without allowing an earned run in 27 chances this season.
The Astros have scored 827 runs this season, which ranks fifth in MLB. They have 1441 hits, third in baseball, with 222 home runs (seventh in the league).
The right-hander has allowed the Astros to go 15-for-59 with two doubles, five home runs and 13 RBI in 15 innings this season.