2023 AL and NL Championship Series Odds and Predictions

On Sunday, October 15, an all-Texas battle between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros opens the 2023 MLB League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park. We will be examining the latest 2023 MLB League Championship Series odds at MLB betting sites, with our ALCS and NLCS predictions included.

The stakes are high, as the winner of the ALCS and NLCS will book their tickets to the 2023 World Series. As one of the favorites in the American League, the 2023 ALCS odds foresaw that the Astros would reach the American League Championship Series.

The same can’t be said for the Rangers, who have had long AL Pennant odds throughout the year. Meanwhile, in the National League, the Arizona Diamondbacks faced insurmountable NL Pennant odds. However, both clubs are only four wins away from reaching the World Series.

Head below to check out the latest 2023 MLB League Championship Series odds. Additionally, we have included our NLCS and ALCS picks for your MLB betting strategy.

2023 MLB League Championship Series Schedule

The first pitch for the 2023 MLB League Championship Series will be thrown on Sunday for the ALCS.

On Monday, the Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies are scheduled to open their best-of-seven series.

Find the complete 2023 MLB League Championship Series schedule below¹:

ALCS Schedule

• Sunday, October 15: ALCS Game 1 – 8:15 p.m. EST (FOX/FS1)
• Monday, October 16: ALCS Game 2 – 4:37 p.m. EST (FOX/FS1)
• Wednesday, October 18: ALCS Game 3 – 8:03 p.m. EST (FOX/FS1)
• Thursday, October 19: ALCS Game 4 – 8:03 p.m. EST (FOX/FS1)
• Friday, October 20: ALCS Game 5* – 5:07 p.m. EST (FOX/FS1)
• Sunday, October 22: ALCS Game 6* – 8:03 p.m. EST (FOX/FS1)
• Monday, October 23: ALCS Game 7* – 8:03 p.m. EST (FOX/FS1)

NLCS Schedule

• Monday, October 16: NLCS Game 1 – 8:07 p.m. EST (TBS)
• Tuesday, October 17: NLCS Game 2 – 8:07 p.m. EST (TBS)
• Thursday, October 19: NLCS Game 3 – 5:07 p.m. EST (TBS)
• Friday, October 20: NLCS Game 4 – 8:07 p.m. EST (TBS)
• Saturday, October 21: NLCS Game 5* – 8:07 p.m. EST (TBS)
• Monday, October 23: NLCS Game 6* – 5:07 p.m. EST (TBS)
• Tuesday, October 24: NLCS Game 7* – 8:07 p.m. EST (TBS)

Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros 2023 ALCS Odds

The following 2023 AL Pennant odds are courtesy of Bovada:

The AL West converges in Texas for the 2023 ALCS between the Rangers and Astros. This Sunday, the battle of Texas begins for the first-ever time in the ALCS.

Last season, the Astros defeated the New York Yankees in four games to reach the 2022 World Series. The Astros proceeded to beat the Philadelphia Phillies for their second World Series championship.

We could be in for a rematch in the World Series between the Phillies and Astros, but the Rangers have different plans. The Rangers clinched a spot in the ALCS after sweeping the Baltimore Orioles in three games.

They made it look just as easy in the Wild Card Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. With that in mind, the Rangers are a perfect 5-0 entering the ALCS.

In April, the Rangers had +2000 odds to win the ALCS. One month ago, the Rangers brought their ALCS odds down to +850. Now, they have +125 odds to beat the Astros and an opportunity to win their first World Series title.

That said, the Astros are favored and have been a highly regarded team throughout the year. To open the year, the Astros had +275 odds to win the ALCS. Currently, the Astros have the best odds to win the MLB title at World Series betting sites.

Both clubs finished the regular season with identical records at 90-72, though the Astros owned the tiebreaker.

2023 ALCS Predictions

It was well-documented that the Rangers were capable of doing damage with their bats, but the main concern was their pitching heading into the Playoffs. If the pitching came around in the postseason, the Rangers were going to be a dangerous out.

In the regular season, the Texas offense finished second in the majors with a team batting average of .263. Additionally, they were tied for the third-most home runs in MLB. The team’s 845 RBIs put the Rangers only behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves².

The acquisition of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien has come full circle for the Rangers. The franchise spent big money on this duo, and they are being rewarded for it with a trip to the ALCS. The offense has stayed hot in the postseason as well.

The Rangers are second best, with a team batting average of .282 and .373 OBP in the Playoffs. Also, they lead the majors in doubles. Despite only needing five postseason games to reach the ALCS, the Rangers have accumulated 29 RBIs³.

Hitting was not their issue in the regular season. The pitching was inconsistent, but they’ve risen to the occasion in the postseason. Currently, the Astros are fifth, while the Rangers are tied with the Diamondbacks for the second-best ERA in the playoffs.

The Rangers have posted an ERA of 2.20 and a 1.09 WHIP. Conversely, the Astros own a team ERA of 3.25 and a 1.14 WHIP⁴. The one weak link for the Rangers in the regular season has been an asset for them in October.

In addition to leading the Astros in pitching, the Rangers’ offense has been more efficient. The ‘Stros are just fifth with a .261 batting average and sixth with a .311 OBP. Yordan Alvarez has been swinging a hot bat, but he’s the only Astro with an OPS better than 1.250 in the playoffs.

While Alvarez does lead in OPS at 1.784, the Rangers’ Seager and Evan Carter are in the Top 3 this postseason. Additionally, they are first and third in OBP among all hitters since the Wild Card Series⁵.

The Astros have an edge in experience, but the Rangers are red-hot and kept pace with them all season long. In what should be a six or seven-game series, the Rangers are the best value bet in the 2023 ALCS at sports betting sites.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Philadelphia Phillies 2023 NLCS Odds

The following 2023 NL Pennant odds are courtesy of Bovada:

In what many consider to be another unlikely League Championship Series matchup, the Diamondbacks and Phillies clash in the 2023 NLCS. The Diamondbacks defeated the Dodgers in an improbable three-game sweep, while the Phillies finished off the Braves in four games on Thursday night.

Last year, the Phillies reached the World Series against the Astros. They came up short, but are determined to return to the championship series and win this time. In April, the Phillies had +1600 odds to win the World Series.

Those are some long odds, but nothing in comparison to the Diamondbacks’ World Series odds back then. The Diamondbacks were an incredible longshot team at +12000. The 2023 campaign was expected to be a year to develop and grow their young talent.

However, the Diamondbacks rose to the occasion and expedited their rebuilding phase. Last month, the Diamondbacks were in the postseason bubble and still had lofty odds to win the World Series at +7000.

At 84-78, they entered the postseason with the worst record among playoff clubs. That hasn’t stopped the Diamondbacks from being four wins away from going to the World Series. Let’s jump straight into our 2023 NLCS picks for this intriguing matchup.

2023 NLCS Predictions

Behind the incredible rise of rookie Corbin Carroll, the Diamondbacks have landed in the NLCS. Carroll is a shoo-in to win the 2023 NL Rookie of the Year, and it’s rightfully deserved.

In the regular season, the 23-year-old connected for a .285 batting average, 25 home runs, and 76 RBIs. Also, he swiped 54 stolen bases to cap off a record-breaking rookie campaign.

Carroll’s hot bat has carried over to the postseason. In 17 at-bats, Carroll is hitting .412 with two home runs and four RBIs. His base running has been on full display, too, with a couple of stolen bases.

Nevertheless, is there anyone in the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff ready to stop the laser-focused Bryce Harper? Harper looks like a man on a mission.

The 2015 and 2021 NL MVP is hitting .368 with a .538 OBP in the 2023 postseason. Furthermore, Harper has sent three long balls over the fence and tacked on five RBIs to his impressive tally in October.

Harper likely isn’t prepared to allow the rookie to steal his spotlight in the NLCS. However, Harper can do nothing about the Phillies’ pitching, but fortunately they’ve been in top form through the postseason.

Led by a dynamite bullpen and team effort, the Phillies’ pitching staff leads the postseason in ERA. Heading into the NLCS, Philadelphia owns a 1.53 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP. Opposing hitters have posted just a .188 batting average versus the Phillies’ pitchers.

The Phillies are also leading the major leagues at the dish. As a team, the Phillies have notched 31 RBIs, 13 home runs, .538 SLG, and a .892 OPS. All four metrics are good for first in MLB this postseason, though the 13 home runs puts the Phillies in a tie with the Diamondbacks.

They’ve had a clear advantage over the Diamondbacks in extra-base hits. The Phillies have totaled 13 doubles, while the Diamondbacks have only six and no triples.

Harper is not being denied against the surging Diamondbacks. Arizona is expected to be a threat for the next decade, but they will likely have to wait for a trip to the World Series. Look for the Phillies to punch their ticket to the World Series for the second straight year.