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The Houston Astros (76-58) close out a 6-game road trip Wednesday with the finale of a 3-game set against the Boston Red Sox (69-64). First pitch from Fenway Park is at 4:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Astros vs. Red Sox odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Astros lead 4-2
The Astros have won 4 games in a row, taking down the Red Sox in the first 2 games of the series 6-2 Tuesday and 13-5 Monday. Houston is in a 3-way tie for 1st place in the AL West with the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners. All 3 teams are tied for the 2nd and 3rd AL Wild Card with a 3 1/2 game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Red Sox are 3-6 in their last 9 games and have lost 3 straight games. Boston is in 4th place in the AL East, trailing the Baltimore Orioles by 14 1/2 games, and is 6 1/2 games out of the final AL Wild Card.
Astros at Red Sox projected starters
LHP Framber Valdez vs. RHP Kutter Crawford
Valdez (9-9, 3.40 ERA) makes his 26th start. He has a 1.11 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 through 161 2/3 IP.
- Last start: No decision, 7 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 5 BB, 6 K in 4-1 road loss vs. Detroit Tigers Friday
- Allowed 4 or more runs in 6 of his last 8 turns
Crawford (6-6, 3.65 ERA) makes his 18th start and 26th appearance. He has a 1.09 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 9.0 K/9 through 101 IP.
- Last start: No decision, 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 7-4 home loss vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Friday
- Allowed 2 or fewer runs in 5 of his last 6 starts
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Astros at Red Sox odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Astros -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Red Sox +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (+110) | Red Sox +1.5 (-135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 10 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Astros at Red Sox picks and predictions
Prediction
Red Sox 7, Astros 5
Moneyline
Crawford and Valdez have been on 2 different tracks recently. Crawford has allowed 2 or fewer runs in 5 of his last 6 starts while Valdez has allowed 4 or more in 6 of his last 8.
The Astros, even with a 41-27 road record, have only completed two road series sweeps this season.
BET RED SOX (+115).
Run line/Against the spread
The Red Sox have won outright the last 6 times — and 8 of the last 9 times — they have covered the spread.
The Astros have lost outright the last 6 times — and 8 of the last 9 times — they have failed to cover the spread.
While betting Boston +1.5 (-135) isn’t bad by any means, it is a much better value with the plus odds on the moneyline.
PASS.
Over/Under
Nine of the Astros’ last 11 games have had double-digit runs.
Nine of Boston’s last 10 games and 11 of their last 13 have had 10 or more runs.
BET OVER 10 (-105).
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