Houston (30-15) at Boston (23-21)
When: Saturday, May 18th, 2019
Where: Fenway Park,
Boston, MA
Time: 7:15 ET | TV: FOX
Opening Odds: Boston -120/11
At the rate the Houston Astros are going, they may have the American League West wrapped-up by the end of July. Houston goes for their 10th straight victory on Saturday when they take on the Boston Red Sox in the middle game of their weekend three-game series at Fenway Park. Houston, who owns an 8.5-game lead in their division, took the opener in a tight 3-1 thriller behind an eighth-inning two-run homer by George Springer – his MLB-leading 17th. Astros reliever Ryan Pressly came in to pitch the bottom half of the inning and set a major league record with his 39th consecutive scoreless appearance. Roberto Osuna battled through a shaky ninth for his 11th save to keep Boston 4.5 games behind the now first place New York Yankees in the AL East. The Red Sox had won 12 of 15 entering Friday, but went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts went 3-for-4 on Friday to extend his hitting streak to eight games. Boston hopes to get another solid pitching outing like last night from starter Rick Porcello when Hector Velazquez takes the mound against rookie Corbin Martin.
Pitchers: Astros – Corbin Martin (1-0, 3.38 ERA) | Red Sox – Hector Velazquez (1-2, 3.95)
Martin posted a 1.48 ERA in five games – four starts – with Triple-A Round Rock while striking out 28 in 24 innings before making his major league debut on Sunday. The 23-year-old allowed two runs on three hits – one homer – and one walk in 5.1 innings to earn an easy 15-5 win over the Texas Rangers. Martin struck out nine while throwing just 80 pitches.
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Velazquez has jumped back-and-forth all season between the rotation and the bullpen and will be making his seventh start. He is coming off a season-high five innings in a win over Seattle on Sunday, allowing two runs and two hits. Velazquez has an ERA of 4.19 as a starter and hasn’t thrown more than 63 pitches in an outing. He has appeared in two games – one start – against Houston and tossed a total of five scoreless innings.
This Houston team is on a roll right now and when a team goes on a long winning streak, I usually back them until they lose. Houston’s bullpen is much better than Boston’s and it should come into play Saturday, as neither starter will probably go deep.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for Saturday. He is 63-39 +1892 units on the season after a 13-1 run!
Pick: Astros -112
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BETTING TRENDS:
Astros are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. American League East.
Astros are 6-0 in their last 6 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Astros are 4-0 in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Astros are 5-0 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Astros are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Astros are 21-6 in their last 27 Saturday games.
Astros are 39-15 in their last 54 games following a win.
Astros are 40-16 in their last 56 during game 2 of a series.
Astros are 52-21 in their last 73 games on grass.
Astros are 62-28 in their last 90 overall.
Astros are 54-25 in their last 79 road games.
Astros are 38-18 in their last 56 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Astros are 2-5 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Red Sox are 4-0 in their last 4 games following a loss.
Red Sox are 5-0 in their last 5 during game 2 of a series.
Red Sox are 6-1 in their last 7 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Red Sox are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. American League West.
Red Sox are 4-1 in their last 5 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Red Sox are 4-1 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Red Sox are 12-4 in their last 16 overall.
Red Sox are 12-4 in their last 16 games on grass.
Red Sox are 5-2 in their last 7 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Red Sox are 60-28 in their last 88 home games.
Red Sox are 110-53 in their last 163 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Red Sox are 3-7 in their last 10 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Red Sox are 2-5 in Velazquez’s last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 6-1-1 in Astros last 8 during game 2 of a series.
Over is 4-1 in Astros last 5 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Astros last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 7-2 in Astros last 9 vs. American League East.
Over is 7-2-1 in Astros last 10 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 7-2-1 in Astros last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 3-1-1 in Astros last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 4-0 in Red Sox last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 7-1-1 in Red Sox last 9 Saturday games.
Over is 6-1 in Red Sox last 7 home games.
Over is 5-1 in Red Sox last 6 overall.
Over is 5-1 in Red Sox last 6 on grass.
Over is 4-1 in Red Sox last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 4-1 in Red Sox last 5 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 4-1 in Red Sox last 5 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 16-5 in Red Sox last 21 vs. American League West.
Over is 5-2 in Red Sox last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 38-17-3 in Red Sox last 58 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Over is 4-1 in Velazquez’s last 5 starts vs. American League West.
Under is 5-2 in Velazquez’s last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 15-6 in the last 21 meetings in Boston.
Astros are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Boston.
Over is 34-16-1 in the last 51 meetings.
Astros are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings.
