Boston Red Sox vs Houston Astros Odds, Preview and Picks - 10/15/2021
Game Time: 8:07 pm ET, Friday, October 15th, 2021
Venue: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
Where to Watch: FOX
Opening MLB Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Houston -150, Boston +130; Over/Under: 8 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline: Houston -145, Boston +120; Over/Under: 8 runs
BetRivers: Moneyline: Houston -143, Boston +123; Over/Under: 8 runs
Season Record
The Red Sox finished the season 92-70 tied with the New York Yankees for 2nd place in the AL East. This triggered a 1-game Wild Card matchup between the hated rivals. The Red Sox won 6-2 and sent the Yankees out of the postseason in 9 easy innings. Then The Red Sox had to face the American League East champs the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays finished the regular season with a 100-62 record. They dominated the regular season and held off all challengers on a simple philosophy… The Rays made every game a bullpen game and relied on the collective ERA of never over-taxing the arms to win contests. It was great for the regular season. The Red Sox promptly lost Game 1 of a best 3 of 5 series 5-0. Game 2 the Red Sox found their offense and beat the Rays 14-6. The Sox won the next 2 games 6-4 and 6-5.
The Houston Astros finished the regular season 95-67 to clinch 1st place in the AL West. It was tough going for the Astros players as they are roundly booed in every stadium except their own. The nation is holding on to that whole “they cheated to win a World Series” reality. The Astros players that made the All-Star game skipped it “to spend time with their cheating families”. The Astros opened the playoffs in an ALDS against the Chicago White Sox which they easily won in four games. Game 1 a win 6-1. Game 2 a win 9-4. Game 3 a loss 12-6 (the White Sox found some homers at the plate). Game 4 was the win that finished it 10-1.
ALCS Game 1 is set.
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Red Sox vs Astros Preview and Analysis
Offensive Analysis
The Boston Red Sox are leading the MLB playoffs in team batting average .328. In five games played they have 63 hits, 11 home runs, 32 RBIs. A powerful statement that they can score on anyone.
The Astros are 3rd in the playoffs in team batting average .288. In 4 games played they have 40 hits, 4 HRs, 31 RBIs. They are leading the playoffs in stolen bases 5 and BB 18. They can score with the best of them… and if they can’t they will find a way (wink).
Defensive Analysis
The Boston Red Sox are fortunate to have such a potent lineup on offense because they are 6th in the playoffs in defense. From the mound Boston has a team ERA of 4.13. They have given up 9 home runs and walked 11 while striking out 57 batters. To make matters worse the two teams they beat to get here, the Rays and Yankees, are below average in both playoff offense and defense… so the offensive numbers may be inflated.
The Astros pitching rotation is actually lower than the Red Sox. The Astros are 7th in pitching in the playoffs. A 4.63 team ERA. They have only given up 3 HRs… but 41 hits and 18 ER in 4 games is a tad high. Every team with a worse ERA in the Playoffs has already been eliminated.
Red Sox vs Astros Prediction
Our prediction for Friday October 15th is... Red Sox 8 - Astros 5
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MLB Betting Trends
Boston is 29-26 as an underdog +11.4 units on the moneyline.
Boston is 66-42 in night games +19.7 units on the moneyline.
Houston is 86-55 as a favorite -5.4 units on the moneyline.
Houston is 70-42 in night games +4.0 units on the moneyline.
Houston is 57% on the Over in night games.
Key Injuries
Boston: P Garrett Richards (hamstring) 10 Day
Houston: CF Jacob Meyers (shoulder) Quest * P Lance McCullers (forearm) Quest
Players to Watch
The starting pitchers for both Boston and Houston are Chris Sale and Framber Valdez.
Starting Lineups
Boston:
K. Schwarber, 1B
E. Hernandez, CF
R. Devers, 3B
X. Bogaerts, SS
A. Verdugo, LF
J. Martinez, DH
H. Renfroe, RF
C. Vazquez, C
C. Arroyo, 2B
Houston:
J. Altuve, 2B
M. Brantley, LF
A. Bregman, 3B
Y. Alvarez, DH
C. Correa, SS
Y. Gurriel, 1B
K. Tucker, RF
J. Meyers, CF
M. Maldonado, C
Statistical Leaders
Boston:
Enrique Hernandez leads Boston in the postseason in these following categories: Batting AVG .435, HR 2, RBI 6, OBP .440, Hits 10.
Wins: Nathan Eovaldi 1
ERA: Tanner Houck 2.57
Holds: Ryan Brasier 3
Houston:
Batting AVG: Carlos Correa .385
Home Runs & RBI: Kyle Tucker 2, 7
Hits: Michael Brantley 7
Wins & ERA & Strikeouts: Lance McCullers 1, 0.84, 9
Saves & Holds: Zach Greinke
Managers:
Red Sox: Alex Cora
Astros: Dusty Baker
Weather Forecast
Partly Cloudy. High of 89*... will drop to 65* during the game. Humidity 59%. 14 mph winds.