Boston (65-58) at Houston (67-56)
- When: Aug 19 2024, 8:10 PM
- Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston
- Where to watch: SCHN
Game Odds, Spread, Moneyline & Total
Boston Red Sox @ Houston Astros
Moneyline
Boston Red Sox +103
Houston Astros -123
Boston Red Sox @ Houston Astros
Runline
Boston Red Sox 1.5 (-200)
Houston Astros -1.5 (+170)
Boston Red Sox @ Houston Astros
Total
Over 8.0 (-110)
Under 8.0 (-110)
- Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
Probable Pitchers:
Boston: Tanner Houck (8-8, 3.01)
Houston: Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 4.49)
Team Stats
| Red Sox | Astros | |
| 65-58 | Record | 67-56 |
| 36-26 | Away & Home | 33-29 |
| 4-6 | Last 10 | 9-1 |
| L1 | Streak | W2 |
Game Preview
Ahead of a crucial three-game series starting Monday against the Boston Red Sox, the Houston Astros got precisely what they needed from their starting pitchers, Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez, in the final two games of their recent series against the Chicago White Sox.
Brown threw seven innings in a 6-1 victory on Saturday, matching his season high, while Valdez followed with seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 win on Sunday. Their dominance allowed Houston’s bullpen—Bryan Abreu, Bryan King, and closer Josh Hader—to cover the final 12 outs with just 51 pitches.
The Red Sox, currently 3.5 games behind the final American League wild-card spot and swept by the Astros at home last weekend, lead the AL in batting average (.262) and rank second in on-base percentage (.328) and slugging percentage (.441). The Astros, holding a four-game lead in the AL West, benefit from a well-rested bullpen as they prepare for this series.
"It’s crucial," Astros manager Joe Espada said. "Having our starters go deep into games helps keep the bullpen fresh during this long stretch of games. We need our starters to keep performing like this."
Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 4.49 ERA) is slated to start for Houston. Since joining the Astros from the Toronto Blue Jays, Kikuchi is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA, including a recent start where he allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. However, Kikuchi has struggled against the Red Sox, holding a 0-3 record with a 6.75 ERA in his career against them.
For Boston, right-hander Tanner Houck (8-8, 3.01 ERA) will take the mound. Houck is winless in his last five starts (0-2, 4.85 ERA) and recently got a no-decision after giving up two runs over 6 2/3 innings in a loss to the Texas Rangers. Houck has performed well against the Astros historically, with a 2.63 ERA in four career appearances against them, though he has not won in his last ten starts.
The Red Sox lost the final game of their series with the Orioles 4-2 but managed to split the series. Manager Alex Cora emphasized the need to move on and prepare for the upcoming matchup.
MLB Parlay Picks & Predictions
Final Score: Houston 5-2
The Pick: Houston -124 & Under 8 (-110)
A $100 Parlay Bet will return $345
- MLB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
