Boston (65-58) at Houston (67-56)
When: Monday, August 19th 2024
Where: Minute Maid Park,
Houston, TX
Time: 8:10 ET | TV: MLB.tv
Opening Odds: Houston -128/8
The Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros begin a huge three-game series at Minute Maid Park beginning Monday night. Both teams come in with momentum, but none more than the Astros, who have now won 10 of their last 11 games and sit four games clear now of the slumping Seattle Mariners in the American League West standings. Houston just took two-of-three from the Chicago White Sox over the weekend and have a well-rested bullpen ready to go against the Red Sox, who lead the AL in batting average (.262).
The Red Sox are now 4-1-1 over its past six series, with that one series loss coming against the Astros last weekend. Boston split a four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend, losing on Sunday 4-2. The Red Sox are now 3.5 games behind the Kansas City Royals for the final wild card spot in the American League. The Astros swept Boston in Fenway last weekend and have now won six in a row against the Red Sox dating back to last season.
Pitching Matchup
Red Sox – Tanner Houck (8-8, 3.01)
Astros – Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 4.49)
Houck is now winless over his last five starts (0-2, 4.85 ERA) after allowing two runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings last Wednesday versus Texas. Houck, who has just one victory over his last 10 starts, is 0-1 with a 2.63 ERA over four career appearances (two starts) against the Astros. He recorded a no-decision of an 8-4 home loss on Aug. 9 to the Astros, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with one strikeout over six innings.
Kikuchi will get the nod for Houston and he remains unbeaten in three starts with Houston (2-0, 2.70 ERA) after allowing one run on three hits with five strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings in a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. Kikuchi has 24 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings with the Astros since being acquired from the Blue Jays. He is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA over eight career appearances (six starts) against the Red Sox.
No way I’m going against Houston right now. I’m not one to trust Kikuchi, but he’s been a new man since joining the Astros. Houston is generously priced here and easily swept the Red Sox last weekend on the road.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for today.
Pick: Astros -117
