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Houston Astros at Boston Red Sox Free Pick 09/08/18

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox are prepared to battle against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park. This AL showdown will be televised nationally on Fox Sports One and the opening pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET.

Houston Astros at Boston Red Sox Odds

Both teams have matching moneyline odds (-105) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this one at 9 runs. Odds for betting on the game’s total sit at -115 for the over and -105 for the under. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds standing at +140 for the Astros -1.5 runs and -160 for the Red Sox +1.5.

The Astros are 88-53 SU and are 72-68 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 9.1 units for moneyline gamblers and 2.3 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Red Sox, on the other hand, are 97-45 SU and 85-56 ATS. The team has gained 33.6 units for moneyline bettors and 28.3 units ATS. Boston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.

Red Sox games have an over/under record of 66-69-6 in 2018. Houston has been a good under bet with a total record of 61-72-7.

The right-handed Charlie Morton is the projected starter for the visiting Stros. Morton is 13-3 with a 3.14 ERA and 185 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with seven strikeouts and a 10.13 ERA against Boston this year.

The Red Sox are turning to lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (12-3, 3.34 ERA), who’s got 122 strikeouts and 33 walks as well as a WHIP of 1.20. Rodriguez has yet to face the Astros this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (0-1, 27.00 ERA and two strikeouts across 1.2 innings).

Boston’s pitchers have allowed 3.9 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. The team’s starters have a 3.70 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.54 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 9.7 K/9.

The Boston offense has put up 5.4 runs per contest, including 6.3 per game over its last 10 games and 5.0 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .243/.345/.324 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.

J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts have led the Red Sox offense this year. Martinez is hitting .335/.407/.639 with 39 home runs, 117 RBIs and 103 runs scored, and Betts is batting .339 with 29 homers, 71 RBIs, 112 runs and 27 stolen bases.

In the visiting dugout, Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.3 runs per game and its starters own a 3.16 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 10.38 K/9. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.93, along with a WHIP of 1.11.

The Astros offense has slashed .256/.332/.431 on its way to 5.0 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (5-0 SU).

Third baseman Alex Bregman and second baseman Jose Altuve continue to lead Houston’s offense. Bregman is hitting .300/.401/.560 with 29 home runs, 96 RBIs and 97 runs scored, while Altuve (.317/.382/.450) has produced 10 homers, 52 RBIs, 72 runs and 15 steals.

The Astros have lost 9.8 units and are 25-27 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in 24 of those games, compared to 26 that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Red Sox have netted 33.5 units and are 68-40 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 51 of those games, compared to 52 that went under the total.

Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox Free Prediction

Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Red Sox, O/U – OVER

Click Here to Start Betting Today!

Notes

Betting Notes

Houston has tallied 18 extra-base hits over its last five games. Boston has 10 XBH over its last five.

The Astros have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.

Boston has recorded 24.9 runs + hits + errors per game over its last 10 contests and 21.8 over its last five.

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Written by GMS Previews

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