How to Bet Red Sox at Astros ALCS Game 4 Odds & Game Info
- When: Wednesday, 8:39 PM ET
- Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Rick Porcello/Charlie Morton
- TV: TBS
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- Radio: Boston / Houston
- ALCS Game 4 Odds: Houston Astros -150 (Total 8.5)
Weather Forecast
- Chance of Rain: 17°C/62°F
- Humidity: 81%
- Precipitation: 46%
- Cloud Cover: 96%
- Wind: 11 mph NNE
- Stadium Type: Retractable
Why Bet on Boston?
Will Red Sox manager Alex Cora make another lineup change for this one? For Tuesday’s Game 3, Eduardo Nunez somewhat surprisingly got the start at third over young Rafael Devers. Devers got the call at third base in Game 2 and reached base three times and scored two runs and entering Tuesday Nunez was just 2-for-14 at the plate so far this postseason, but Cora prefers his defense to Devers’. Depending on what happened in Game 3 probably determines Cora’s decision for this one.
There’s guaranteed to be a Game 5 in this series. Will ace Chris Sale be ready for Boston? Sale was admitted to the hospital on Saturday with a stomach illness, but he rejoined the team in Houston on Tuesday. Game 5 on Thursday could be a possibility if he continues to progress. If not, the assignment would go to Eduardo Rodriguez.
It’s Rick Porcello (17-7, 4.28) here. Porcello has appeared in 3 postseason games in 2018, all Red Sox wins. In the ALDS, he threw 0.2 scoreless innings of relief in Game 1, then started and earned the win in Game 4 at Yankee Stadium (5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 SO). In Sunday’s Game 2 win over the Astros, Porcello threw a perfect 8th inning, striking out Marwin Gonzalez and Carlos Correa. Porcello was originally lined up to start Game 3 but bumped back because of that relief appearance.
In his postseason career, Porcello is 1-3, 2 holds, 4.60 ERA (16 ER/31.1 IP), 5 BB, 26 SO in 14 games (5 starts). In 5 starts: 1-2, 5.04 ERA (14 ER/25.0 IP) and in 9 relief appearances: 0-1, 2.84 ERA (2 ER/6.1 IP).
During the regular season, Porcello set career bests in 2018 in SO (190) & SO/9.0 IP (8.94; 191.1 IP). He is 1 of 2 pitchers (Houston’s Justin Verlander) in the last 3 years to make 33+ starts in each from 2016-18. Among all AL pitchers, Porcello finished T-3rd in starts (33), T-4th in wins (17), T-10th in IP (191.1), and 14th in SO (191).
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 5.44
- Hits: 9.27
- Walks: 3.54
- Strike Outs: 7.72
- Runs: 3.99
- Hits: 8.00
- Walks: 3.22
- Strike Outs: 9.55
Why Bet on Houston?
A surprising decision in Game 3 by Houston’s AJ Hinch as he put Jose Altuve at designated hitter. Altuve was bothered by a right knee injury during the season and it’s still an issue, so the hope was to get him off his feet a bit. Altuve landed on the disabled list back in July with a right knee injury and he banged the knee up again in Game 2 of the ALDS. With Altuve sliding to the DH spot, Marwin Gonzalez started at second base while Tony Kemp played left field. Brian McCann caught Game 3 but it surely will be Martin Maldonado in Game 4. McCann simply catches when Dallas Keuchel pitches.
Charlie Morton (15-3, 3.13) is set to make his 2018 postseason debut on Wednesday. Due to Houston’s three-game sweep against Cleveland in the ALDS, Morton has not pitched since Sept. 30. He’s thrown just 15 innings since Sept. 1, rest afforded after shoulder discomfort sidelined the 34-year-old righthander during the second half of a career year. Morton threw one simulated game during the lead up to the American League Championship Series.
“Morton has had long layoffs before, last year in the playoffs we had guys with longer layoffs,” general manager Jeff Luhnow said. “I think at this time of year the rest is good for everybody, I know he’s going to be motivated and I know he’s going to be good.”
In a season where he reached 200 strikeouts for the first time as a professional, Morton threw 167 innings — his most since tossing 171 ⅔ in 2011 with the Pirates. He started against Boston in ALDS Game 4 last season, allowing two runs in 4 1/3 innings in a Houston win.
Hinch said Tuesday he will allow Morton to pitch in Game 4 as long as he is effective. Since throwing 70 pitches against Arizona on Sept. 15, Morton has thrown a total of 55 pitches in two major league games. Hinch added he will be “pretty aggressive” with the Astros bullpen “if need be,” behind Morton.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.95
- Hits: 8.57
- Walks: 3.55
- Strike Outs: 7.42
- Runs: 3.32
- Hits: 7.12
- Walks: 2.70
- Strike Outs: 10.36
Red Sox vs Astros ALCS Game 4 Betting Trends
- Astros are 49-19 in their last 68 home games vs. a right-handed starter
- Red Sox are 8-3 in Porcello’s last 11 road starts
- Red Sox are 5-2 in Porcello’s last 7 starts vs. American League West
- Under is 8-2-1 in Morton’s last 11 starts overall
- Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 10 of Boston’s last 12 games
- Houston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
- Houston is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 6 games
