The MLB schedule shows that the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros are set to play the middle game of a three-game series on Tuesday.
The Houston Astros won the first game of the series at home. The win for the Astros pushed them to 71-55 on the season and just two MLB games back of the Texas Rangers in the MLB standings. The win for Houston also made them 34-29 at home this season.
For Boston, the loss dropped them back to 66-59 on the season. The Red Sox remain on the outside looking in regarding the American League Wildcard chase. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Boston.
Take a look at the Red Sox vs Astros odds and our picks for the game.
Boston Red Sox vs. Houston Astros Odds
Here are the latest Red Sox vs Astros odds:
- Moneyline: Houston Astros -155 | Boston Red Sox +130
- Runline: Houston Astros -1.5 (+124) | Boston Red Sox +1.5 (-148)
- Total: 8.5
Boston Red Sox vs. Houston Astros Information
Boston Red Sox vs Houston Astros
Location of the game: Minute Maid Park. Houston, TX.
Date & Time: Tuesday, August 22. 7:10 pm CT.
How to watch: TBS
Boston Red Sox vs. Houston Astros Betting Preview
Adam Duvall got the scoring started for Boston in the first inning, but after that, it was all Houston. James Paxton struggled on the mount, getting just 12 outs in the game, allowing nine hits and six earned runs while walking three. The Red Sox are now 31-31 when playing on the road this season.
In the weekend sweep over the Yankees, the Red Sox pitchers allowed just three runs per game. Over their last five wins, they have allowed a total of 16 runs.
It’s a pretty common theme if the Red Sox are going to win, they have to keep the score down. They struggle to win shoot-out-type games. Boston has a team ERA of 4.35 on the season and have just 36 quality starts, which is 24th in the league.
Tanner Houck will get the nod for the Boston Red Sox in this game. Houck comes into the game with a 3-6 record and a 5.05 earned run average. He has thrown 67.2 innings and struck out 64 batters on the season. His last outing was on June 16th, as he is coming off the injured list from that game until now. This will be his 13th start of the season when he gets added back to the Boston Red Sox roster.
Astros’ Defensive Dance
Chas McCormick hit a home run in the fourth inning to give Houston Astros score a 7-3 cushion; he then hit another in the 8th inning. He now has 19 home runs on the season.
Alex Bregman also drove in a run, while Yordan Alvarez hit in two.
Bregman now has 82 runs batted in on the season. Houston saw Christian Javier struggle once again, throwing 105 pitchers through just five innings, but he did pick up the win in the game.
Houston snapped a three-game losing streak after allowing 19 runs in the sweep at the hands of the Mariners. The Astros have dropped to 6th in the league with a 3.84 earned run average, while MLB teams are hitting .243 against them.
Justin Verlander gets the start for the Houston Astros. The 40-year-old veteran is making his 19th start of the season. Verlander’s MLB Player Stats show that he is 8-6 on the season with a 3.37 earned run average. He is coming off a win on the road against the Marlins back on August 16th. Since being traded, Verlander has allowed nine earned runs in 18 innings so far.
Boston Red Sox vs. Houston Astros Betting Picks
This game has the makings of a Justin Verlander masterpiece. We have yet to see Verlander come through and really shut down an opponent since the trade.
This looks like a great spot for that. Boston is hanging by a thread trying to close in on a wildcard spot in the American League, while the Astros are looking to run down the Rangers. Barring any late additions to the MLB injury report, the bet for this game will be the Houston Astros, and they do it by multiple runs.
- When looking at the Red Sox vs Astros odds, it makes sense to take the Houston Astros -1.5 at (+124) and the under 8.5 runs.
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