Houston Astros at Boston Red Sox Betting Preview
Wednesday will feature a rubber match in an American League showdown as the Houston Astros (24-13) takes on the Boston Red Sox (14-22). The Red Sox will host this one at Fenway Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:10 pm ET.
After dropping the opener 6-3 on Monday, the Astros were sizzling Tuesday, winning 13-4. Nine of those runs came in the second innings, as the Astros blasted five home runs in the inning.
While the Astros pounded out 15 hits, Kyle Tucker went two for five with two home runs and six runs batted in. His home run in the fourth inning was a grand slam.
On the mound, Jose Urquidy struggled as he gave up four runs on 12 hits, but it was still enough to pick up the win.
For Boston, it was a night to forget for Boston starter Nathan Eovaldi. He lasted just 1.2 innings, allowing six earned runs on eight hits. He didn’t strike out a single batter.
Rafael Devers and J.D. Martinez both homered in the game, and the team hammered out 13 hits, but it just wasn’t enough to be able to keep up with Houston in this one.
The Astros are the favorites on Wednesday. They are -130 to win while Boston’s moneyline sits at +113. The runline features Boston +1.5 (-135), and the over/under for total runs is nine.
Astros Trying To Keep Pressure On Division
For as well as the Astros have played, the Los Angeles Angels are showing they are the real deal this year in what could be a very competitive AL West. Trying to maintain their division lead, the Astros will look to secure a series win on the road.
Houston has played well on the road this year as they are 15-9 overall. They have also played well in the last couple of weeks as they are 8-2 in their last ten games.
Trying to help pick up the win Wednesday will be righty Luis Garcia. In six starts this season, he is 3-1 with a 2.94 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and has 37 strikeouts in his last 33.2 innings pitched.
Offensively, the Astros have been led by designated hitter Yordan Alvarez. In 116 at bats, he is hitting .259/.360/.595 with a team-leading 12 home runs. He also has 22 runs batted in and 24 runs scored.
Tuesday’s hero, Kyle Tucker, has also been off to a strong start hitting .254/.354/.476 with seven home runs and a team-leading 25 runs batted in.
As a team, the Astros lead the majors in home runs with 55 and are third in slugging percentage at .422.
Red Sox Trying To Find Consistency
Despite being just 36 games into the season, the Red Sox already find themselves 13 games behind the first-place New York Yankees. The Reds Sox have struggled to find any consistency thus far as they are 5-10 at home and 9-12 on the road.
Trying to secure a series win for the Red Sox is righty Nick Pivetta. In seven games, Pivetta is just 1-4 with a 5.08 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and has 33 strikeouts in 33.2 innings.
Pivetta has been strong in his last couple of outings. In those two games, he is 1-0 and has given up just one earned run in 13 innings pitched. He will look to keep that trend going as he takes on a loaded Astros’ offense.
Leading the offense is third baseman Rafael Devers. After his home run Tuesday, he is now hitting .333/.359/.567 with a team-leading seven home runs, 20 runs batted in, and 24 runs scored.
J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts have also hit well. Martinez is hitting .333/.379/.579 with five home runs and 19 runs batted in, while Bogaerts is hitting .338/.399/.466 with three home runs and 15 runs batted in.
Against Garcia, Red Sox hitters are a combined 4 for 20 with no home runs and no runs batted in throughout their careers.
Astros/Red Sox Betting Prediction
Luis Garcia has been stellar this season and will be a tough matchup for the Red Sox. Between Garcia’s stuff and the Astros’ offensive output Tuesday, it would be easy to just assume Houston will roll Wednesday, too.
The trends have been pointing upwards for Pivetta, though, and when he is on, he is tough on opposing batters. The Astros may end up winning this one, but expect this to be much closer than Tuesday’s blowout.
For that reason, there is a lot of value in taking Boston +1.5 on the runline.
