Houston Astros (71-55) vs Boston Red Sox (66-59)
Game Info: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 8:10 pm (Minute Maid Park)
Justin Verlander (8-6) (3.36) vs Tanner Houck (3-6) (5.05)
Betting Odds: Houston Astros -155 / Boston Red Sox +130 --- Over/Under: 8.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Boston Red Sox will play the Houston Astros in Game 2 of their series on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. Houston won the first game in this series by a score of 9-4 and was able to bounce back after being swept by Seattle. On the other hand, Boston couldn’t keep their momentum after sweeping the Yankees over the weekend.
Red Sox Preview
The Boston Red Sox are 66-59 this season and they have won three of their last four games. Boston is coming off of a series sweep in New York, where they won all three games against the Yankees. The Red Sox offense has scored 33 runs in their last five games and has really came to life over the last few weeks. The Boston pitching staff has a 4.38 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, and a .255 opponent batting average this year. The Red Sox offense has scored 611 runs with a .262 batting average and a .328 on base percentage. Justin Turner is batting .288 with 20 home runs and 79 RBI’s for the Red Sox. The projected starting pitcher for Boston is Tanner Houck, who is 3-6 with a 5.05 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP over 67.2 innings pitched this season.
Astros Preview
The Houston Astros are 71-55 this season and they have lost three out of their last four games. Houston really struggled over the weekend, losing all three games in their home series with the Mariners. The Astros pitching staff has been a bit inconsistent lately, allowing 33 runs in their last six games. The Houston pitching staff has a 3.84 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP, and a .243 opponent batting average. The Astros offense has scored 617 runs with a .253 batting average and a .325 on base percentage this season. Kyle Tucker is batting .297 with 24 home runs and 92 RBI’s for the Astros. The projected starting pitcher for Houston is Justin Verlander, who is 8-6 with a 3.36 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over 112.1 innings pitched this year.
Houston Astros Team Facts
- The Astros have lost four of their last five games as home favorites.
- The Astros have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as home favorites against the Red Sox following a home win.
- The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five games as home favorites against American League opponents.
- The Astros have trailed after 7 innings in four of their last five games as home favorites against American League opponents.
- The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Astros' last five night games against AL East opponents.
Boston Red Sox Team Facts
- The Red Sox have won four of their last five games as underdogs against the Astros following a loss.
- The Red Sox have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games against the Astros following a road loss.
- The Red Sox have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last five games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Red Sox's last three night games against American League opponents.
- The Red Sox have won the first inning in six of their last eight games as underdogs against American League opponents.
Houston Astros Player Prop Facts
- Chas McCormick has hit at least one home run in three of the Astros' last five night games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Alex Bregman has recorded at least one RBI in five of the Astros' last six home games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Alex Bregman has recorded four or more total bases in each of the Astros' last three games as favorites.
- Jose Altuve has scored at least one run in each of the Astros' last seven games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
- Justin Verlander has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances with his team as a home favorite against AL opponents.
- Jose Altuve has recorded at least one hit in each of the Astros' last 11 games against AL East opponents.
Boston Red Sox Player Prop Facts
- Rafael Devers has hit a home run in two of the Red Sox's last three games as underdogs.
- Rafael Devers has recorded at least one RBI in four of the Red Sox's last five road games.
- Alex Verdugo has scored at least one run in each of the Red Sox's last five night games.
- Triston Casas has recorded at least one total base in each of the Red Sox's last nine Tuesday night games.
- Rafael Devers has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances against AL opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Houston Astros ranks 6th in the league for runs scored this season (617).
- The Houston Astros ranks 6th in the league for RBI's this season (597).
- The Boston Red Sox ranks 3rd in the league for batting average this season (.262).
- The Boston Red Sox are one of only 4 teams in the league to rank top 10 in both strikeouts and on-base percentage this season.
Pick
Houston was able to get a big win on Monday night, as they try to keep pace with the Rangers and hold off the fast charging Mariners in the AL West. This series is also huge for Boston, as they are only a couple of games out of a Wild Card. Boston is starting Tanner Houck, who has allowed three earned runs in his last two starts (10 IP), but hasn’t pitched since June 16th. Houston is starting Justin Verlander, who has allowed nine earned runs since being acquired from the Mets (18 IP). I think the Astros offense is going to get to Houck as he tries to get back into a rhythm and I like Houston to get the win.
David’s Pick Astros ML
AUTHOR: David Racey
Mitch's Take...
