Red Sox vs Astros Prediction and Betting Odds May 16
Red Sox vs Astros Betting Preview and Odds
After taking two of three games from the Rangers over the weekend, the Red Sox still sit in dead last in the AL East. Houston is first in the AL West. WagerTalk MLB handicapper Andy Lang offers his Boston Red Sox vs Houston Astros betting preview for Monday, May 16, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10pm ET / 4:10pm PT.
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| Monday, May 16 | MLB Betting Notes, Courtesy of Caesars |
|---|---|
| Moneyline: | Boston Red Sox -121 vs Houston Astros +111 |
| Runline: | Red Sox -1.5 (+160) / Astros -1.5 (-180) |
| Total: | 9 Runs (Over -125 / Under +105) |
| Game Time: | 7:10pm ET / 4:10pm PT |
| Where: | Fenway Park in Boston, MA |
| Weather: | 65 Degrees / 50% Chance of Rain & T’Storms |
Red Sox vs Astros Analysis
The Houston Astros continue their East Coast road trip with a three game series at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox could not complete the three game sweep against the Texas Rangers and as they lost 7-1 yesterday afternoon.
The Astros got back on track with an 8-0 shutout victory over the Washington Nationals. This will be the first showdown between these clubs since last seasons dramatic American League Championship series.
The veteran righty Jake Odorizzi takes the mound for Houston, while reliever turned starter Garrett Whitlock gets the nod for Boston. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST.
No Problems For Houston
After winning 16 of their last 19 games the Houston Astros have now officially surpassed the New York Yankees for the hottest team in the league. They finally had their 11 game winning streak snapped on Saturday.
They bounced right back with an 8-0 shutout victory on Sunday. The veteran ace Justin Verlander was lights out once again, hurling 5 scoreless innings while only allowing two hits and three walks.
Verlander has clearly fully recovered from his Tommy John surgery as he boasts one the best stat lines in the league. Yuli Gurriel was the offensive standout going 3 for 4 with a solo home run.
The Astros offense has been solid to begin the season, ranking 14th in runs scored, 9th in OPS and 4th in wRC+. Yordan Alvarez has had a hot start as he leads the league with 11 home runs.
Jake Odorizzi takes the mound for the Astros on Monday night. He was horrible to start the season but has turned the corner recently, allowing just one earned run across 17.2 innings in his last three starts. Odorizzi now has a 3.38 ERA, however his high walk rate and low strikeout rate are concerns.
Sox Can’t Secure Sweep
The Boston Red Sox finally won their 2nd series of the season 2-1 over the Texas Rangers. However, they did fall short of the sweep, losing 7-1 yesterday with the Rangers offense exploding after being held in check for two games.
The Boston bullpen day ended up being a failure as runs were allowed by three of four pitchers with Ryan Brasier taking the loss. Rafael Devers went 3 for 4 with two doubles and the only Red Sox RBI. The Red Sox offense was projected to be a potent group equivalent last season where they ranked 5th in runs.
But they have been a shell of themselves, ranking 22nd in runs scored, 24th in OPS and 25th in wRC+. Red Sox Nation hopes reliever turned starter Garrett Whitlock can get them back on track. Regardless of where Boston has used him he has thrived.
Whitlock has tossed 24.2 innings in eight appearances, four starts and posted a miniscule 2.19 ERA. He also has a staggering 34.7% strikeout rate while only walking 8.2% of batters faced.
Red Sox vs Astros Prediction
The Boston Red Sox are small favorites with a -125 money line, while the Houston Astros are +105 with a total of 9. Both starters will have their hands full against the opposing lineups.
Whitlock has been lights out since joining the starting rotation and Odorizzi has been better of late, but remains inconsistent. Odorizzi doesn’t post great strikeout and walk numbers, so a patient Sox lineup could make quick work of him.
There are also some key Boston hitters like Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers who have great track records against him. While the Red Sox lost Sunday, their offense did gain confidence on Friday and Saturday. I’m going to back Boston as a small home favorite here.
Prediction: Boston Red Sox Moneyline -121
Interested in placing a bet on Monday’s Red Sox vs Astros American League clash? Caesars Sports is offering up to a $1,500 match bet for first-time deposits in New Jersey, West Virginia, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Virginia, Tennessee, Arizona, New York and Louisiana.
First Pitch | MLB Betting Preview for May 16
Join Drew Martin and a rotating panel of guests for First Pitch as we break down the daily baseball slate from a betting perspective. The Tigers are currently the owners of the longest winning streak in the MLB at three games after sweeping the Orioles over the weekend. Can they continue that momentum against the Rays at Tropicana Field? Join WagerTalk’s team of MLB betting experts every weekday at 1:45pm ET / 10:45am PT for First Pitch as we discuss the baseball betting slate.
WagerTalk Live Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s Live Odds Screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the MLB moneylines, run lines and betting percentages for all of Monday’s baseball games, including this Red Sox vs Astros showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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Meet the Author
Andy Lang has lived in Indianapolis his whole life, and like most people from the Hoosier State, he became fascinated with motor sports. That interest in motor sports turned into a desire to make money off the sport through fantasy contests and sports betting. Like most, he took his lumps when he first got started, but now he is one of the most respected NASCAR bettors in the industry. Andy has expanded that sports betting experience to become profitable in a number of other sports, transforming this interest from a side hobby to a major source of income.
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