The Houston Astros’ chase for the top record in the American League came up just short, and they’ll get a date with the Boston Red Sox in the AL Division Series as a result. Game 1 between the AL foes gets underway tonight, where sportsbooks opened the Red Sox as +119 road underdogs with a total of 7.
- The total has gone UNDER in eight of the Red Sox’ last 11 games as underdog.
- The Red Sox are 7-2 SU in their last nine games on the road with Chris Sale as the starting pitcher.
- The total has gone OVER in six of the Astros’ last eight series-Sportsbook games in the playoffs.
Chris Sale and Justin Verlander are the probable starters in this one. Sale (17-8, 2.90) is making his playoff debut for the BoSox and hasn’t been the same pitcher of late, going 3-4 with a 4.30 ERA over his final eight starts while struggling to keep the ball in the park. The ace, who has never pitched in the playoffs, is 5-1 with a minuscule 1.31 ERA in six career starts vs Houston.
Verlander (15-8, 3.36) has been stellar since joining Houston at the waiver deadline, going 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA in five starts with his new team. The ex-Detroit Tiger allowed four runs (three earned) in 12 innings vs Boston earlier this season, but didn’t factor into either decision.
Houston doesn’t exactly have the best playoff history when performing in front of their hometown fans. In the Astros’ last five postseason home games, they’re a brutal 1-4 SU.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to pick the visiting Boston Red Sox before the first pitch in this match found them as +135 moneyline underdogs earlier today at Sportsbook. They saw the OVER/UNDER total of 7 earlier at Sportsbook.
OddsShark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 4.3-3.3 victory for the Astros. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Boston Red Sox vs Houston Astros Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Houston (101-61) will face the 93-69 Red Sox in this tilt. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Houston vs Boston injuries news.
It's an MLB betting matchup between the No. 2-rated Houston Astros and the No. 9-ranked Boston Red Sox, according to the latest MLB power poll here at OddsShark.
Statistical Matchup
Scoring stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features the Houston Astros' No. 1-ranked scoring average of 5.53 runs per game, against a Boston Red Sox offense rated No. 10 and scoring 4.85 runs per game. The Astros have averaged 9.77 hits per game to date this season, more than the Red Sox hitters have managed (8.97 per nine innings).
Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping betting factors and Houston has the No. 9-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Red Sox own the No. 5 mark in runs allowed.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
- Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Boston is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games
- Boston is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
- Boston is 17-8 ATS in its last 25 games on the road
- Houston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
- Houston is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games at home
- Houston is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Boston at Houston, Friday, October 6
