The Houston Astros are set to square off against the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park. This AL matchup is going to be televised nationally on Fox and the opening pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET.
Boston Red Sox vs. Houston Astros Odds
Houston (receiving -125 odds) is hosting this one as the favorite over Boston and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this night game at 9 runs (+105 for the over and -125 for the under). Runline odds stand at -180 for betting the Red Sox +1.5 runs and +160 for the Astros -1.5.
The Red Sox have gone 27-24 SU this year and are 20-30 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 9.7 units for moneyline gamblers and 12.2 units ATS. Boston has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven. The Astros, on the other hand, are 34-18 SU and 29-22 ATS. They’ve gained 3.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 5.7 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in six of those seven.
Astros games have a 22-28-1 over/under record so far in 2019. Boston has been a decent over bet with a total record of 29-19-2.
Left-hander David Price is the projected starter for the visiting Red Sox. Price is 2-2 with a 3.29 ERA and 46 strikeouts. This will be his first outing against Houston this year. He did make two starts against the Astros in 2018, posting a 1-0 record against them with a 3.65 ERA and 17 strikeouts.
The Astros will put the ball in the right hand of Brad Peacock (5-2, 3.59 ERA, 1.05 WHIP), who has 50 strikeouts and 14 walks this season. Peacock did not register a start against the Red Sox in 2018.
Houston’s pitching staff has given up 3.5 runs per game overall in 2019 as a unit. The team’s starting pitching staff has a 3.78 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 2.71, a WHIP of 1.03 and a K/9 of 9.8.
The Houston hitters are putting up 5.3 runs per outing, including 4.5 per game over its last 10 games and 3.2 per game over their last five. The team has hit .240/.325/.373 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Outfielders Michael Brantley and George Springer have led the Astros’ batters this year. Brantley is hitting .328/.374/.554 with 10 home runs, 34 RBIs and 29 runs scored, and Springer is hitting .308 with 17 homers, 43 RBIs and 41 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Boston’s pitchers have allowed 4.7 runs per game and its starters own a 4.69 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 9.52 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.72, along with a WHIP of 1.26 and a K/9 of 10.43.
The Red Sox offense has slashed .257/.344/.437 on its way to 5.3 runs scored per game this season, including 5.0 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Boston’s hitters have been paced by third baseman Rafael Devers and right fielder Mookie Betts. Devers is slashing .317/.384/.481 with six home runs, 29 RBIs, 35 runs and six stolen bases. Betts is slashing .293/.407/.492 with eight homers, 25 RBIs, 42 runs and five stolen bases.
The Red Sox have lost 3.1 units and are 16-20 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 21 of those games, compared to 14 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Astros have netted 3.0 units and are 9-5 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in five of those games, compared to nine that’ve cashed the under.
Red Sox vs. Astros Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Red Sox, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Boston has logged 23 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Houston has 10 XBH over its last five.
- The Red Sox have hit 20 home runs in their last 10 games, including 14 over their last five.
- The Red Sox have a team OPS of .781 this season and an OPS of .787 against right-handed pitchers. The Astros’ OPS stands at .849 overall and .831 versus righties.
- Houston has recorded 20.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 17.6 over its last five.
