The Boston Red Sox will be facing off against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. This AL matchup will be televised nationally on Fox and the first pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET.
Boston Red Sox at Houston Astros Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Boston (+160) as the underdog to Houston (-170). The total sits at 7.5 runs and bettors can wager on the over for -115 or the under for -105. Bettors can also wager on the games spread with the current runline odds sitting at -135 for the Red Sox +1.5 runs and +115 for the Astros -1.5.
The Red Sox have gone 39-19 SU this year and are 31-26 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 12.1 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 5.5 units ATS. Boston’s covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, are 37-22 SU and 32-26 ATS. They’ve gained 0.5 units for moneyline bettors and 4.3 units ATS. Houston has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Astros games have a 21-33-4 over/under record so far in 2018. The Red Sox have an over/under record of 28-27-2.
Southpaw David Price is projected to start for the visiting Red Sox. Price is 5-4 with a 4.04 ERA and 59 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Astros this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (1-0, 3.52 ERA and seven strikeouts across seven and two-third innings).
The Astros are putting the ball in the hands of righty Justin Verlander (7-2, 1.11 ERA), who has 98 punchouts and 15 walks, as well as a 0.71 WHIP. Verlander made two starts against the Red Sox in 2017, posting a 0-0 record with a 2.25 ERA and seven strikeouts.
Boston’s pitching staff allowed 3.8 runs per game and its starters own a 3.88 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 9.83 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.23, along with a K-per-9 of 9.55.
The Red Sox offense has slashed .266/.332/.465 on its way to 5.3 runs scored per game this year, including 4.9 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 5.4 per game over the teams last five contests (3-2 SU).
Boston’s hitters have been powered by J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts, who collectively have launched 36 home runs. Martinez is hitting .318/.379/.664 with 19 home runs, 48 RBIs and 37 runs scored, while Betts (.359/.437/.750) is up to 17 homers, 37 RBIs, 52 runs and 13 steals.
In the home-team dugout, Houston’s pitching staff has given up 2.8 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have an ERA of 2.57, a WHIP of 0.98 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.4. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 2.92, a WHIP of 1.10 and a K/9 of 10.2.
Houston’s hitters have put up 5.0 runs per outing, including 6.2 per game over its last 10 games and 4.8 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .251/.316/.421 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Jose Altuve and right fielder George Springer have led the Astros hitters this year. Altuve is slashing .332/.377/.461 with four home runs, 29 RBIs, 33 runs and six stolen bases, while Springer’s line sits at .289/.353/.500 with 12 homers, 35 RBIs and 44 runs.
The Red Sox have gained 14.2 units and are 27-18 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 22 of those games, as opposed to 21 that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Astros have lost 2.7 units and are 10-9 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in seven of those games, as opposed to 11 which went under the total.
Boston Red Sox vs. Houston Astros Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Red Sox, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Houston has posted 25.6 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 22.0 over its last five.
- The Red Sox have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games, including eight over their last five.
