Red Sox vs Astros Odds: Houston Favored in Opener

Boston, Houston Battling for Postseason Berths

Boston and Houston will be looking to improve their positioning for the playoffs, beginning with a four-game series in Houston starting Monday. The Red Sox are coming off a sweep of the Yankees, so there could be a little bit of a letdown. The MLB schedules had Houston hosting Seattle, but the Mariners pulled off the three-game sweep of the Astros. The Red Sox vs Astros odds have Cristian Javier -125 over James Paxton and the Red Sox.

Boston has gotten itself right in the mix for the postseason. The Red Sox gone 24-17 since July 1. Boston’s offense is a big reason why. The Red Sox are No. 3 in team batting average and No. 7 in runs scored. Boston doesn’t have the home run power of Atlanta or the Dodgers, but the Red Sox are No. 2 in doubles and No. 6 in slugging percentage.

Boston’s pitching hasn’t been terrible, but the Red Sox are a little below average at No. 18 in team ERA. The Red Sox have done a decent job closing out games, going 36 of 46 in save opportunities. Boston pitchers have thrown three shutouts, which is tied for last in the majors.

The Astros are No. 12 in team batting average, but No. 6 in runs scored. Houston is No. 9 in home runs, which has helped. The Astros are No. 6 in team ERA and have converted 37 of 53 save attempts.

Monday’s Game

Paxton is 7-3 with a 3.34 ERA. But Boston is 0-6 in the starts Paxton hasn’t gotten a decision in and are 7-9 with him on the mound. Four of those nine losses have come by a single run.

Javier is 8-2 with a 4.49 ERA and the Astros are 16-7 when he starts. Houston is scoring 6.70 runs per game for Javier and the offense has picked him up on more than one occasion. In Javier’s four starts between June 21 and ending July 16, the Astros allowed a total of 34 games. But Houston managed to win all four games. Still, you have to respect a pitcher who is winning more than two-thirds of his starts.

The Astros have hit left-handed starters well this season, going 23-14 and scoring 5.81 runs per game. The MLB betting line is a bit low on the Astros, who are offering a little value based on their scoring against southpaws.

Tuesday’s Game

The Red Sox vs Astros odds are going to see Houston as good-sized favorites on Tuesday with Justin Verlander pitching. The Red Sox will start Tanner Houck. Expect to see Verlander close to -200 in this one. Houck is 3-6 with an ERA of 5.05. The Red Sox have gone 6-7 when Houck takes the mound. Boston was his last start, ending a six-game losing streak when he started.

Houston is 2-1 in the games Verlander has started since returning to the Astros. He lost his first start against New York, but the Astros have won his last two. This will be his first start against the Red Sox this season. You have to like Houston, but the price is going to be a little bit too high to play. The upcoming matchup in the Red Sox vs Astros series promises to be a thrilling showdown between two powerhouse teams.

Wednesday’s Game

The Red Sox vs Astros odds should have Houston as slight favorites in this game. Chris Sale and Jose Urquidy are the listed starters for the game. Sale is 5-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 13 starts for Boston. The Red Sox are 9-4 when Sale starts and 3-0 when losing his previous start, which is the case here. This will be his third start since coming back from an injury.

Urquidy has missed a fair amount of time this season due to shoulder inflammation. When he has been able to pitch, he hasn’t quite been his usual self, going 2-3 with a 5.21 ERA. He did pitch a couple innings in relief against Seattle on Aug. 18. Boston is 4-4 in the games he’s started this season. This could be a decent spot for an over play due to Houston hitting left-handers and Urquidy not being at his peak.

Thursday’s Game

This one should be one of the better MLB matchups on the slate, as Boston sends Brayan Bello to the mound against J.P. France. France will be a mid-sized favorite in this one. Bello is 9-7 for Boston with a 3.70 ERA. The Red Sox have gone 14-7 with Bello on the mound and 7-2 on the road.

France is 9-4 with a 2.75 ERA on the season. The Astros have gone 10-7 when he starts and 5-4 when he starts at home. Both pitchers are throwing the ball well, so this could be a game to play under the total.

For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.


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