The Boston Red Sox will host the Houston Astros for game one of the American League Championship Series. This will be a best of seven series, and the Red Sox will have home-field advantage over the Astros. Houston beat the Red Sox, four out of seven times that they met during the regular season.
The defending World Series Champion Houston Astros had little trouble with the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS. The Astros swept the Indians in three games, outscoring Cleveland 21-6 in the series. The Boston Red Sox advanced to the ALCS by knocking out their arch rival, the New York Yankees three games to one. The Boston Red Sox are -118 against the Astros in the series opener.
Sale Looks To Lead Red Sox
Veteran left-hander Chris Sale will be on the mound for the Red Sox in the series opener. Sale made two appearances in the American League Division Series, including earning the win in game one against the New York Yankees. He gave up five hit and two earned runs through 6 ⅓ innings pitched in round one. Sale lost his only start against the Astros on July 1, giving up four earned runs in six innings pitched.
J.D. Martinez continued his monster 2018 season with a solid series at the plate in the ALDS. Martinez collected five hits and six runs batted in during the four-game series win over the Yankees. The Red Sox will need outfielder Mookie Betts to pick up his offense in this series. Betts went just 3-16 in the ALDS after leading the American League in batting average during the regular season.
Bregman Powering Astros Offense
Houston Astros third baseman, Alex Bregman was the offensive star for the team in their ALDS victory. Bregman posted a .556 batting average against the Indians, and blasted two of the Astros eight home runs in the three-game sweep. The Astros hit .327 as a team in the ALDS and will look to stay hot against the Red Sox.
Houston has chosen to send veteran Justin Verlander to the mound to oppose Sale in this game. Verlander started the series opener in the ALDS and picked up the win after pitching 5 ⅓ solid innings. The hard throwing right hander made one start against the Red Sox this season, giving up two earned runs through six innings pitched.
Sale, Red Sox Take Game One
This series will feature the two best teams in baseball, and the series should go the distance. Look for pitching to dominate in the series opener, but both of these offenses will find a way to put runs on the board. Houston looks like a team that is ready to repeat as World Series Champs with Alex Bregman leading the way.
The Boston Red Sox need Sale to carry them to victory in the series opener, but their offense will need to show up as well. Look for Mookie Betts to break out of his slump to pace the Boston offensive attack. Bet the Boston Red Sox -118 over the Houston Astros in game one of the ALCS.
