The Houston Astros will host the Boston Red Sox in game 1 of their American League Divisional Series on Thursday night as both teams look to take the first step toward reaching the 2017 World Series in a contest featuring two of the best starting pitchers in all baseball. If you’re looking to strike pay dirt on this intriguing match-up, be sure to check the latest MLB odds and keep my expert analysis close to the chest.
Houston (-130) comes in as favorites, but the Red Sox are planning to spoil the party, so let’s dive in this ALDS clash.
Houston hits the postseason on fire having won six of their final seven regular season games and eight of 10 overall, including taking three of four from Boston in their final regular-season series. Houston’s starting rotation went 11-2 with a stellar 2.96 ERA over the final two weeks of the regular season.
Red Sox (93-69) vs. Astros (101-61) ALDS Game 1 MLB Odds & Betting Pick
When: Thursday, October 5, 4:00 PM ET Where: Minute Maid Park TV: MLBN Live Stream: MLB Live Radio: WEEI 93.7, KBME 790, ESPN Radio MLB Odds: Houston -130 (Over/Under: 7)2 ALDS Games this week on #MLBNetwork!
Thursday: @RedSox vs. @astros, Game 1 Friday: @Yankees vs. @Indians, Game 2 pic.twitter.com/NpmYEZNAEN — MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) 4 de octubre de 2017
Weather Forecast
- Clear: 31°C/88°F
- Humidity: 44%
- Precipitation: 0%
- Cloud Cover: 21%
- Wind: 7 mph NE
- Stadium Type: Retractable
How to Bet on the 2017 MLB Playoffs
Head to Head Statistics (Last 10 Games)
- Runs: Boston Red Sox 4.40 / Houston Astros 5.60
- Hits: Boston Red Sox 8.50 / Houston Astros 10.20
- Walks: Boston Red Sox 2.80 / Houston Astros 4.40
- Strikeouts: Boston Red Sox 7.90 / Houston Astros 8.60
- Over/Under: Boston Red Sox 5-4-1 / Houston Astros 5-4-1
Probable Pitchers
Boston – Chris Sale – L – (17-8, 2.90 ERA 308 K)
Boston staff ace Chris Sale has made 180 starts in his career but will make his first career postseason start in this contest. Sale didn’t face the Astros during his 308-strikeout season but has gone 5-1 with a 1.31 ERA lifetime against Houston.Houston – Justin Verlander – R – (15-8, 3.36 ERA, 219 K)
Veteran right-hander Justin Verlander was absolutely phenomenal after being acquired by the Astros by recording a jaw-dropping 1.06 ERA in five starts while striking out 43 and walking just five. Verlander has a career 3.39 ERA in 16 career playoff starts.Why put your money on the Red Sox MLB Odds at +110?
Chris Sale has been every bit the staff ace that Boston was expecting when they acquired him in the offseason. However, sale got smacked around for five earned runs on eight hits including a whopping four home runs in 5.0 innings of a 9-4 loss to Toronto in his last start on September 26 and was touched up for four earned runs on six hits including a pair of home runs in 5.2 innings of a 13-6 win over Tampa Bay two starts prior to that one. Boston finished the regular season ranked 10th in scoring (4.85 rpg) and an even more impressive fourth in team ERA (3.72) Unfortunately, the Red Sox hit the postseason having lost three of their final four regular-season games and five of their final seven games overall. Sale struggled mightily by posting an uninspiring 4.09 ERA in his final 11 starts and the Red Sox had a 4.98 ERA as a team over the final two weeks.Team Statistics
Offense- Runs: 4.85
- Hits: 8.77
- Walks: 3.52
- Strikeouts: 7.56
- Runs: 4.12
- Hits: 8.55
- Walks: 2.87
- Strikeouts: 9.75
Why put your money on the Astros MLB Odds at -130?
Justin Verlander hits the postseason absolutely on fire, having limited the opposition to two earned runs or less in each of his last eight starts while giving up one run or less in six of those outings and no runs in two of those starts. Just as important, Houston finished the regular season ranked first in scoring (5.53 rpg), first in team batting average (.282), second in home runs (238) and a respectable 11th in team ERA (4.12).
Houston hits the postseason on fire having won six of their final seven regular season games and eight of 10 overall, including taking three of four from Boston in their final regular-season series. Houston’s starting rotation went 11-2 with a stellar 2.96 ERA over the final two weeks of the regular season.
Team Statistics
Offense- Runs: 5.53
- Hits: 9.77
- Walks: 3.14
- Strikeouts: 6.71
- Runs: 4.32
- Hits: 8.11
- Walks: 3.22
- Strikeouts: 9.83
Latest MLB Odds Trends
- Red Sox are 17-8 ATS in their last 25 games on the road
- Red Sox are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games on the road
- Astros are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games
- Astros are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games when playing Boston
- Houston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
