Houston Astros at Boston Red Sox Betting Preview

betdsiBaseball, MLB

The Houston Astros will pay a visit to Fenway Park to face the Boston Red Sox. New England Sports Network will be televising this AL showdown and the game gets going at 7:10 p.m. ET.

Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox Odds

Boston (-110) is the favorite against Houston (+100) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this night game at nine runs (-120 for the over and +100 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds standing at Astros +1.5 runs (-210) and Red Sox -1.5 runs (+175).

The Red Sox are 97-44 straight up (SU) and 85-56 against the spread (ATS). The team has gained 33.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 28.3 units (ATS). Boston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. On the other hand, the Astros have gone 87-53 SU this year and are 72-68 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 9.1 units for moneyline gamblers and 2.3 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in five of those seven.

Red Sox games have an over/under record of 66-69-6 in 2018. Houston has been a decent under bet with a total record of 61-72-7.

The right-handed Gerrit Cole will get the start for the visiting Astros. Cole (13-5, 2.86 ERA) has racked up 243 strikeouts in 176.1 innings so far. He’s 1-0 with seven strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA against Boston this year.

The Red Sox will be sending lefty David Price (14-6, 3.60 ERA) to the mound. Price has 152 strikeouts and 41 walks to his credit, as well as a 1.16 WHIP. Price is 1-0 with seven strikeouts and a 4.50 ERA in one start against Houston this year.

Houston’s pitching staff allowed 3.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.16 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 10.36 K/9. The bullpen has logged a solid ERA of just 2.93, along with a K-per-9 of 10.79.

The Astros offense has slashed .256/.332/.431 on its way to 5.0 runs scored per game this year, including 5.0 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (5-0 SU).

Houston’s hitters have been led by third baseman Alex Bregman and second baseman Jose Altuve. Bregman is slashing .298/.399/.557 with 29 home runs, 96 RBIs and 95 runs scored, while Altuve has a .318 average with 10 homers, 52 RBIs, 71 runs and 15 steals.

In the home-team dugout, Boston’s pitchers have given up 3.9 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starters have an ERA of 3.71, a WHIP of 1.21 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.5. The bullpen has a 3.48 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 9.7 K/9.

The Boston offense has put up 5.4 runs per contest, including 6.1 per game over its last 10 games and 5.6 per game over its last five. The team has hit .246/.343/.377 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.

The Red Sox batters have been led by J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts. Martinez is slashing .335/.407/.641 with 39 home runs, 115 RBIs and 103 runs scored, and Betts has put up a line of .335/.425/.626 with 29 homers, 71 RBIs, 111 runs and 27 stolen bases.

The Astros have lost 9.8 units and are 25-27 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in 24 of those games, compared to 26 that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Red Sox have netted 33.5 units and are 68-40 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 51 of those games, compared to 52 that’ve gone under.

Houston Astros at Boston Red Sox MLB Tip

Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER

Betting Notes,

  • Houston has tallied 18 extra-base hits over its last five games. Boston has 14 XBH over its last five.
  • Boston has posted 23.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 22.8 over its last five.
  • The Astros have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games, including eight over their last five.