For the third time since 2017, the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros will meet in the MLB postseason. They split the first two. Houston is a home favorite on the MLB odds for Game 1 of the ALCS on Friday night.

How to Bet Red Sox at Astros MLB Odds & TV Info

• When: Friday, 8:07 PM ET
• Where: Minute Maid Park
• Probable pitchers (away/home): Chris Sale/Framber Valdez
• TV: Fox
• Stream/gameday audio: Fox Sports Go
• Opening MLB Lines: Astros -135, Red Sox +125 (total 8)

Series History

The Astros dominated this matchup during the regular season, taking five of seven games from the Red Sox while winning the scoring battle, 42-25. Playoff-wise, the Astros defeated the Red Sox in four games in the ‘17 Division Series. The Sox then beat the Astros in five games in the ‘18 ALCS.

Why Bet on Boston?

The Red Sox upset the AL-best Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS, winning Game 4 6-5 on Monday. Enrique Hernandez hit a walk-off sacrifice fly. Christian Vazquez moved to second base on a sac bunt following a leadoff single, a Travis Shaw infield single put runners at the corners and Hernandez lofted the second pitch he saw from J.P. Feyereisen into left field which easily scored pinch-runner Danny Santana. Hernandez reached base nine times during the ALDS, homering twice and plating six runs.

Rafael Devers went 3-for-4 with a three-run home run Monday. He also added a pair of singles. Devers is dealing with discomfort in his right forearm that is exacerbated when he swings and misses at high fastballs. When pitchers miss low, he’s been making them pay. Monday’s homer was the fifth of Devers’ postseason career. Only David Ortiz (17), Jason Varitek (11), Manny Ramirez (11), Nomar Garciaparra (seven) and Kevin Youkilis (six) had more in their Red Sox careers. Devers is only 24.

In a minor surprise, manager Alex Cora is going with lefty Chris Sale over Nathan Eovaldi in Game 1. Sale was crushed for five runs over one inning of work but was not involved in the decision in Game 2 of the ALDS vs. Tampa. Sale became just the 22nd pitcher ever with a postseason start of no more than one inning with five runs allowed. He now carries a career 7.27 ERA over 26 innings in the playoffs with a 1.46 WHIP.

After going 5-1 in his first eight starts back from the injured list, Sale struggled with control in his final 2021 start against Washington, giving up four hits and three walks in 2 1/3 innings. Then came the disaster against the Rays. Sale didn’t face Houston this year.

Why Bet on Houston?

Houston is in its straight League Championship Series, a feat that has only been accomplished by two other clubs in the Majors since the 1969 season, the Braves (1991-99) and the A’s (1971-75).

The Astros advanced with an easy 10-1 win over the White Sox in Game 4 of the ALDS on Tuesday. Jose Altuve went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run and four runs scored. Altuve did a little bit of everything in this one. He ripped the first pitch of the game for a double, was hit by a pitch, stole a base and scored in the third, singled and scored in the fourth and then scored again in the eighth after reaching on an error. He then provided an exclamation point in the ninth inning with a three-run blast. It was the 19th home run of Altuve’s postseason career, which is tied for the fourth-most of all-time. He’s also now third all-time in career postseason RBI with 43.

Center field Jake Meyers left Tuesday’s game when he crashed hard into the center field wall but said that he’s available for the ALCS:  “I feel good. I feel like I can make the throws that I need to make.”

Fellow outfielder Michael Brantley has hit safely in 15 straight postseason games, dating back to Game 1 of the 2020 ALDS, which is the longest on Astro s history and longest in the majors since SS Alcides Escobar posted a 15-game streak for the Royals in their 2015 postseason run.

In a perfect world, Houston would start ace Lance McCullers Jr. in Game. McCullers allowed just one run over 10 2/3 innings (two starts) in the ALDS against the White Sox but left Game 4 with some forearm discomfort. He’s not expected to pitch at all in the ALCS but perhaps in the World Series if Houston gets there.

Thus, it will be lefty Framber Valdez here. The 27-year-old started Game 2 of the ALDS, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out six over 4 1/3 innings of work. Valdez had an 11-6 record, 3.14 ERA and 4.01 FIP over 134 2/3 innings this year while making 22 starts. His 70.3% groundball rate led all pitchers with at least 60 innings thrown. He will be on full rest.

Game Trends

• Red Sox are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings.
• Under is 11-3 in the last 14 meetings.
• Red Sox are 7-1 in their last 8 overall.
• Red Sox are 10-2 in their last 12 playoff games as an underdog.
• Astros are 4-0 in their last 4 playoff games as a favorite.

Expert Prediction

• Astros 4, Red Sox 3

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