Mike Fiers (1-1, 6.48 ERA) and Clay Buchholz (0-1, 5.74 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Houston Astros (5-12) and the Boston Red Sox (8-8) at Minute Maid Park. The Red Sox won the last game 6-2, and Boston leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 4:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 23 and can be seen on FS1, RTSW and NESN.
Fiers pitched 5.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering four runs and striking out five in a 5-4 win over the Tigers. Buchholz went 6.2 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out two and walking two in a 4-3 defeat to the Blue Jays in his last outing. Mookie Betts (.278, 14 Rs, 4 HRs, 14 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Red Sox, going 4 for 5 yesterday with three runs and one RBI.
The odds for Houston and Boston are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. The Astros have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Houston is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 15 bases. Houston’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0. The Astros are the top team in the AL at limiting walks during home games, allowing only 1.3 walks per contest to their opponents this season.
Offensively, they average 0.0 runs per game, which is good for fifth in the AL. The Red Sox capitalize on their at-bats at a high percentage, ranking .274 in the league with a .274 team batting average. The Red Sox are an excellent base stealing team with 13 stolen bases, ranking fourth in the MLB. The Red Sox allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span.
The Red Sox have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – BOS
Notes
The Astros are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Red Sox have a 1-2 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they are outhit, the Astros are 0-9. The Red Sox have a 1-4 record when opponents outhit them.
Boston ranks near the bottom of the league at 23rd when it comes to home runs, hitting 13 this season. Houston ranks in the top five with 24.
Ranking 21st, Houston is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 7.75 per game. Boston ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 9.07.
Ranking 13th, Houston is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.741). Boston ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .776.
The Red Sox are 5-7 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Astros are 4-10 when they allow at least one homer.
