Astros vs. Red Sox Pick
Are the Houston Astros going to win a third straight game at the Boston Red Sox Sunday afternoon to advance to the ALCS? First pitch is at 2:38PM EST.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Astros are a -140 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Red Sox are a +120 underdog and the over-under is set at 9.5.
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Houston won the first two games of the series by 8-2 scores and has now won six of nine meetings this year. The total has gone over in five of the nine games.
On the mound for Houston will be Brad Peacock (13-2, 3.00 ERA), while Boston counters with Doug Fister (5-9, 4.88). Peacock carried a 1.19 WHIP with 161 strikeouts in 132 innings during the regular season, starting 21 games and entering in relief in 13 others. He allowed two earned runs on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk over five innings in a 12-2 win at Boston his last regular season start. Peacock has a 2.88 ERA and an 8-0 record in 75 road innings. Fister carries a 1.38 WHIP with 83 strikeouts in 90 1/3 innings. He gave up three earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts and one walk in 5 1/3 innings during a 3-2 home loss to Houston his last regular season start. Fister has a 4.94 ERA in 54 2/3 innings.
On Friday afternoon, George Springer was 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk and two runs to help lead the offense. Jose Altuve finished 2-for-3 with two walks, two runs and an RBI. Carlos Correa finished 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk, two runs and four RBIs. Dallas Keuchel surrendered one earned run and struck out seven over 5 2/3 innings to get the win. Christian Vazquez was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run to pace the Red Sox. Drew Pomeranz surrendered four earned runs over two innings to take the loss.
Houston is clearly the superior team in this series and it has a significant pitching advantage in Game 3 as Peacock has routinely given the Astros a strong five or six-inning option this year. Meanwhile, Fister has regressed considerably after a strong stretch a couple months ago. Expect Houston to tee off on him while also receiving a strong outing from Peacock plus the bullpen. We’re taking the Astros to advance to the ALCS.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: HOUSTON ASTROS -140