MLB odds: How to bet Astros vs. Red Sox, picks, point spread, more
The Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros will play in the American League Championship Series, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday at Houston's Minute Maid Park.
Boston holds a 39-33 lead in the all-time series, including 20-15 at Fenway Park and 19-18 on the road. But the Astros have won nine of the previous 13 contests, including a 5-2 record this season.
The teams have met twice in the postseason, with Boston winning 4-1 in the 2018 ALCS and Houston taking the 2017 AL Division Series 3-1.
"This is a tougher test because the Red Sox, 2 through 6, 2 through 7 in that lineup, they are unconscious right now, man," FOX Sports' Sam Panayotovich said. "I know it's a small sample size but through the postseason so far, the Red Sox have the highest average, most hits, highest slugging, and most home runs. Good luck with that lineup.
"When I saw Lance McCullers leave last game with forearm tightness, it made me a little nervous because we know Houston doesn't have the horses in the rotation. This will be a slugfest of a series and I think it could go either way. If that's the case, if I make it a coinflip, of course, I'm going to take +135 before I lay -heavy juice (-162). That's no problem."
The Astros outscored the Red Sox in head-to-head games 42-25 this season.
Houston slashed .300/.386/.498 with nine homers and 19 doubles over those seven games against Boston this season.
A key to Houston's success against Boston this season was getting on base without swinging the bat. The Astros drew 32 walks against the Red Sox and were hit by a pitch three times.
The Astros held the Red Sox to a .210 average with just 20 extra-base hits (15 doubles, five homers) this season.
Houston also led the majors in runs scored (863), RBIs (834), team batting average (.267), and on-base percentage (.339) during the regular season.
Boston's pitchers struck out 1,527 batters during the regular season, the fifth-best mark in MLB. The Red Sox tied for fifth in saves (49) but allowed the third-most hits (1,409). The Red Sox pitching staff will need to bring it this series if they want to advance.
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BOSTON RED SOX @ HOUSTON ASTROS (8:07 p.m. ET Friday, FOX)
Point spread: Astros -1 (favored to win by one or more runs; otherwise Red Sox cover)
Moneyline: Astros -143 favorite to win (bet $10 to win $16.99 total); Red Sox +120 underdog to win (bet $10 to win $22.00 total)
Total scoring over/under: 8 runs scored by both teams combined
Pick via FOX Sports' Sam Panayotovich: "The Red Sox don't have to win the series; as long as it goes the distance, I can't lose. There's a little bit of juice here, minus-154, but I think the Red Sox have every chance to win it. In this case, if they lose in Game 7, I will win."
PICK: Red Sox + 1.5 games to win ALCS (via FOX Bet)
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