Both MLB league championship series continue on Friday, Oct. 20, with a pivotal Game 5 between the Astros and Rangers, and a potential series-knotting Game 4 between the Phillies and Diamondbacks. The Texas showdown is first on the schedule with a 5:07 p.m. ET start for the final game in Arlington. The team that wins Game 5 goes on to win the series 64% of the time, so the stakes make it the perfect contest to wager on. With prime October baseball already here, we’re taking a look at the best MLB playoff props and sportsbook bonuses for the games tonight. Keep reading to see what all the market has to offer as the pressure continues to mount in both series.
Today’s schedule:
- Houston Astros at Texas Rangers, 5:07 p.m. ET (FS1)
- Philadelphia Phillies at Arizona Diamondbacks, 8:07 p.m. ET (TBS)
Best Sportsbook Bonuses for Friday’s Playoff Games
It’s primetime in the sports world and the current bonuses reflect all of the action. However, they aren’t likely to last too much longer with the MLB season nearing an end. Below are a few you can claim now, netting up to $5,000.
Top 3 MLB Playoff Props for Friday
Here are the best prop bets on the market for today’s games.
Jose Altuve to Record 2+ Hits (+185 on FanDuel Sportsbook)
One thing that is abundantly clear at this point is that the Astros enjoy playing at Globe Life Field. Jose Altuve is among those who enjoy it most, hitting eight home runs in his last nine games at the stadium. He has registered at least two hits in each game in Arlington so far, including a three-hit performance last night.
He’ll have to get going against Jordan Montgomery who went 6 1/3 innings in his first outing in Houston. However, Houston was a much worse team at home than on the road this season. There isn’t much that can explain it, but it’s their reality this season. With the Astros’ bats getting comfortable on the road, it’s unlikely they’ll go scoreless again, and Altuve’s bat is a big reason why.
Whether in the zone or out of the zone, he is in attack mode, and it is paying off. He is on a hot streak, and we like his chances of keeping it going given his performance at the stadium regardless of who is on the mound.
Justin Verlander to Allow Fewer Hits than Jordan Montgomery (-115 on BetMGM Sportsbook)
Montgomery won this betting market by one in their first trip to the mound in this series, but Verlander faced one more hitter. The biggest change in tonight’s matchup is location. The Astros bats have been much more potent on the road than at home, especially at Globe Life Field.
In their last five games in Arlington, Houston has driven in 57 runs. During the regular season, they led the league in runs, homers, batting average and OPS on the road. So far during this payoff run, that has held consistent. Again, especially so in Arlington. And although the series is tied, the Rangers have yet to live up to explosive offensive prowess throughout the regular season and divisional round of the playoffs against the Astros’ pitching staff.
Trea Turner to Record 2+ Hits (+151 on Caesars Sportsbook)
The Diamondbacks are sending relief pitcher Joe Mantiply to the mound tonight. The last time the Phillies saw him, he allowed six hits for four runs in three innings of relief. Trea Turner has four at bats against Mantiply and has come away with three hits and an RBI. This postseason, Turner is batting .471 and has a hit in every game.
The Phillies only scored one run in the last game, which allowed the Diamondbacks to walk it off and put their first mark in the win column. That sets up tonight’s game as a potential series-tying game, which would put the pressure on the Phillies for the first time all postseason long. Look for them to be disciplined at the plate and bounce back from an uncharacteristic performance in Game 3 and for Turner’s bat to make some noise in the process.
