Red Sox vs. Astros Friday Prediction
Like pitching? Then you’ll love the matchup tonight in Houston, where the Astros will host the Red Sox and Chris Sale will take on Gerrit Cole. How can bettors capitalize on the matchup?
Game Snapshot & Odds
919 Boston Red Sox (+111) at 920 Houston Astros (-121); 7 runs
Friday, June 1, 2018
8:10 p.m. ET, Minute Maid Park
TV: BOS (NESN); HOU (ATTH)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Astros as a -121 favorite. As of this writing, 55% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Red Sox to beat the Astros on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Red Sox’ Sale struggles in loss to hot Braves lineup
Chris Sale gave up five hits and six runs over 4 1/3 innings Sunday in the Red Sox’s loss to the Braves. He fanned eight and walked three over 91 pitches. Sale served up a three-run homer to Tyler Flowers in the second inning, then ran into more trouble in the fifth, yielding two hits and a pair of walks, which led to three earned runs. This was Sale’s shortest outing of the year and only his second loss with his other defeat coming April 21 in Oakland in a game where the Red Sox were no-hit by Sean Manaea. Sale will look to bounce back Friday against the Astros. The left-hander struggled the last time he was in Houston, surrendering seven runs in a Game 1 loss during last year’s ALDS.
Astros’ Cole earns no-decision in showdown with Indians
Gerrit Cole surrendered four hits and three runs over seven innings Sunday in the Astros’ 14-inning loss to Cleveland. He notched eight strikeouts and two walks over 112 pitches. Cole served up a two-run homer to Jose Ramirez in the first inning, then gave up another run in the second on Greg Allen’s RBI double. Fortunately, he was able to overcome his rough start, allowing just four base-runners after the second inning. The story, of course, was Cole’s showdown with Trevor Bauer, his former college teammate/nemesis, though neither factored in the decision. An early Cy Young contender, Cole will take an impressive 5-1 record into his next start Friday versus Boston. He’ll be opposing Chris Sale in that game.
MLB Betting Trends
Boston
The Red Sox are now 1-4 in their last five games in Houston and 1-5 in their last six games versus the Astros.
Houston
The Astros are 36-15 in their last 51 home games and are 15-7 in their last 22 games overall.
Prediction:
These are the two best pitchers on the mound Friday night and they both happen to be starting in the same game. Cole owns a 3.66 ERA on the year and his strikeout (27.1%) and walk rates (6.6%) are both healthy. Sale has been even better this season despite struggling in his last start versus Atlanta. He owns a 2.86 ERA to go along with an elite strikeout rate (35.8%) and outstanding walk rate (5.5%). The total is low and both offenses can do damage in a heartbeat but I’m not going to over think this one.
The Pick: Red Sox/Astros under 7