The Houston Astros are taking on the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. The first pitch of the series will be thrown at 8:09 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on TBS.
Houston Astros at Boston Red Sox Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Houston (+105) as the underdog to Boston (-115). Gamblers can bet on the game’s total with odds sitting at -120 for over 7.5 runs and even money (+100) for under 7.5. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the current odds standing at -200 for the Astros +1.5 runs and +170 for the Red Sox -1.5.
Factoring in the regular season, the Astros are 106-59 SU and are 86-79 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t moved the needle a whole lot this year, gaining 0.5 units for moneyline bettors, despite having lost 1.6 units ATS. The Red Sox, on the other hand, are 111-55 SU and 96-70 ATS. They’ve gained 34.4 units for moneyline bettors and 23.2 units ATS.
Boston games have an over/under record of 79-79-8 in 2018. The Astros have been a good under bet with a total record of 72-85-8.
Right-hander Justin Verlander will get the nod for the visiting Astros. Verlander (16-9, 2.52 ERA) has recorded 290 strikeouts in 214 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with six strikeouts and a 3.00 ERA against Boston this year.
The Red Sox are sending lefty Chris Sale (12-4, 2.11 ERA) to the mound. Sale has 237 strikeouts and 34 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 0.86. Sale is 0-1 with six strikeouts and a 6.00 ERA in one start against Houston this year.
Behind a team slash line of .327/.421/.615, Houston has scored 7.0 runs per game through three playoff outings. The Red Sox are hitting .279/.365/.429 and the team has managed 6.8 runs during this year’s playoffs.
The Red Sox bullpen has registered an ERA of 3.71 and a WHIP of 1.29 this postseason, while Astros relievers have performed significantly better with a 0.93 ERA and 0.72 WHIP.
Third baseman Alex Bregman and second baseman Jose Altuve have led Houston’s offense. Bregman is hitting .290/.401/.544 with 33 home runs, 107 RBIs and 110 runs scored. Altuve (.316/.384/.454) has produced 14 homers, 63 RBIs, 88 runs and 17 stolen bases.
The Red Sox hitters have been led by J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts. Martinez is slashing .331/.403/.628 with 44 home runs, 136 RBIs and 112 runs scored, while the line for Betts stands at .341/.434/.629 with 32 homers, 82 RBIs, 132 runs and 30 steals.
The Astros have lost 7.1 units and are 29-31 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 27 of those games, compared to 30 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Red Sox have netted 32.2 units and are 76-51 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 61 of those games, as opposed to 60 that’ve gone under.
Houston Astros at Boston Red Sox Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The over has hit in just two of Houston’s last seven games.
The Astros have won six of their last seven games SU while the Red Sox have won four of their last five.
Boston has posted 28.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 28.2 over its last five.
The Astros have hit 17 home runs in their last 10 games, including 11 over their last five.
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