Red Sox vs. Astros Pick
Will the Boston Red Sox grab another win on the road when they take on the Houston Astros tonight at 8:15PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Astros are a slim favorite at home, as they are getting odds of -115 to win. The Red Sox are listed with odds of -105 to prevail, while the over/under total for the game has been set at 9.5 runs.
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The pitching matchup tonight has Rick Porcello (3-8, 4.67 ERA) on the mound for Boston to face David Paulino (0-0, 6.59) of the Astros. Porcello has had a rough season after winning the Cy Young last year. He has given up 10 runs over his last two starts and has a WHIP of 1.51 on the season despite racking up 82 strikeouts. Paulino is set to make his fourth start of the season tonight. He has pitched 13.2 innings this year, allowing 10 earned runs with 16 strikeouts and four walks. His WHIP is 1.68.
Boston took the first game of the series on Friday night, 2-1. The Sox have won three straight over Houston dating back to last season. Boston is now 38-29 overall and 17-18 on the road while Houston is 45-23 overall and 22-15.
Friday’s game was a pitching duel, but the Red Sox managed to squeak out the win late. Mike Fiers pitched seven innings for Houston and allowed just one run in a no-decision outing. Drew Pomeranz went 6.1 innings and allowed just one run as he also took a no-decision. The game ultimately came down to a solo home run in the eighth inning by Mookie Betts, his 12th of the season. Craig Kimbrel earned his 19th save of the season in the ninth.
The Astros are favored, but Paulino hasn’t given them much to be excited about. He isn’t likely to get deep into the game and Houston used some of their best relievers on Friday. Porcello has been shaky this season, but he still has the ability to get back to his 2016 form. It may not happen tonight, but I still trust him more than Paulino in a close game.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: BOSTON RED SOX -105
