Following their ALDS Game 1 on Thursday night, the Houston Astros will look to get another win at home again in Game 2 against the visiting Boston Red Sox. With two of the best starting pitchers in baseball taking the bump for this intriguing match-up, it may be a little difficult to decide your pick, so be sure to check our MLB betting preview for ALDS Game 2 to choose where to place your baseball betting bucks on!
Let me start pointing that Houston is the -1.5 favorite, but Boston ain’t going to be an easy prey. Plus, the total has been set at 8.5.
The Astros ranked a stellar first in team batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage while finishing second only to the Yankees in home runs and striking out less than any team in baseball.
Houston also ranked 11th in team ERA (4.12), eighth in WHIP (1.27) and a stellar second in strikeouts (1,593) and have the likely AL MVP on their roster in diminutive second baseman Jose Altuve (.346).
Boston at Houston ALDS Game 2 Odds, Preview & MLB Betting Pick
One city. One goal. #EarnHistory pic.twitter.com/JpjHnCg5Rf
— Houston Astros (@astros) 1 de octubre de 2017
- When: Friday, October 6, 2:00 PM ET
- Where: Minute Maid Park
- MLB Betting Odds: Houston 1.5 / Total U 8.5
- TV: FS1
- Radio: WEEI, KBME, ESPN Radio
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
Weather Forecast
- Clear: 32°C/89°F
- Humidity: 39%
- Precipitation: 0%
- Cloud Cover: 8%
- Wind: 6 mph NE
- Stadium Type: Retractable
MLB Betting Preview: Arizona vs. LA Dodgers NLDS Game 1
Recent 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
- Strike Outs: 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 Red Sox: Drew Pomeranz – L – (17-6, 3.32 ERA, 174 K) Pomeranz makes his first career playoff start after coming out of the bullpen for Boston in last season’s playoffs. The good news for the BoSox is that Pomeranz will make his second straight start against the Astros after limiting them to one run on three hits while striking out three in six innings of a 6-3 win on Saturday. Houston Astros: Dallas Keuchel – R – (14-5, 2.90 ERA, 125 K) Keuchel posted a 2.00 ERA over his final three starts of the regular season, but has a high, 9.88 ERA in three career appearances, including two starts against the Red Sox. The good news, however, is that Keuchel has posted a fine, 2.57 ERA in three career playoff appearances, which all came in 2015.Why bet on the Red Sox?
Over his last 10 starts, Drew Pomeranz has limited the opposition to two runs or less an impressive six times while giving up three earned run on two other occasions. Over his last four starts alone, Pomeranz has limited Boston’s opponents to one run or less three times while tossing at least six innings in each win. Boston finished the regular season ranked a respectable 10th in scoring (4.85 RPG), 13th in team batting average (.258) but just 22nd in on-base percentage and 27th in home runs. Defensively, the Red Sox ranked fourth in team ERA (3.72), fifth in WHIP (1.25), third in strikeouts (1,580) and second in quality starts with 88.Team Record
- All: 93-69
- Home: 48-33
- Away: 45-36
- As Favorite: 76-53
- As Underdog: 17-16
- ATS: 86-76
- Over/Under: 69-85-8
- Against Left-Hand Pitchers: 18-19
- Against Right-Hand Pitchers: 75-50
Team Injury Report
- 2B Dustin Pedroia
- 1B Mitch Moreland
- 3B Eduardo Nunez
- SS Xander Bogaerts
- RP Roenis Elias
- RF Mookie Betts
- LF Andrew Benintendi
Why bet on the Astros?
Heading into their series opener, Houston had won three of the last four meetings against Boston while going 4-3 against the Red Sox this season. Conversely, Dallas Keuchel has limited the opposition to two runs or less in seven of his last 10 starts, including each of his last three starts to close out the regular season while pitching an identical 6.0 innings in each outing.
The Astros ranked a stellar first in team batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage while finishing second only to the Yankees in home runs and striking out less than any team in baseball.
Houston also ranked 11th in team ERA (4.12), eighth in WHIP (1.27) and a stellar second in strikeouts (1,593) and have the likely AL MVP on their roster in diminutive second baseman Jose Altuve (.346).
Team Record
- All: 101-61
- Home: 48-33
- Away: 53-28
- As Favorite: 97-52
- As Underdog: 4-9
- ATS: 85-77
- Over/Under: 81-72-9
- Against Left-Hand Pitchers: 21-24
- Against Right-Hand Pitchers: 80-37
Team Injury Report
- RF Carlos Beltran
- CF Cameron Maybin
- RF Josh Reddick
- CF Jake Marisnick
- RF George Springer
- RP Brady Rodgers
- 3B Alex Bregman
- RP Jandel Gustave
- RP David Paulino
- SS Carlos Correa
Latest MLB Betting Trends
- Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Boston is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games
- Houston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
- Red Sox are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing Houston
- Red Sox are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing Houston
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games on the road
- Astros are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
- Astros are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
