The Boston Red Sox carry a 2-1 advantage over the Houston Astros into Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday night. Boston thumped Houston in Game 3 on Monday night, defeating the Astros, 12-3.
The first pitch of Game 4 is at 8:08 p.m. EST inside Fenway Park in Boston, MA. Boston is favored (-125) in the matchup, and the over-under total is set at ten runs.
What to Know – Houston Astros
Houston opened the series with a 5-4 victory but now finds itself with its back against the wall after a pair of losses. The Astros lineup is littered with veterans with playoff experience, so it isn’t time to panic for Houston fans just yet.
The expected starter for the visitors is right-hander Zack Greinke. Greinke’s thrown just one inning in the postseason, allowing two hits and no runs in mop-up action in Game 3 against the Chicago White Sox. The veteran has an 11-6 record for the season with a 4.16 ERA and 1.17 WHIP.
Outfielder Kyle Tucker has been the hottest bat in the Astros lineup this postseason. The 24-year old leads the team is hitting .296 with three home runs and 11 runs batted in. Tucker’s three-run blast in Game 3 provided the only runs for Houston in the loss.
In Houston’s last ten contests, the over has hit nine times, and the Astros are 4-6 against the spread.
What to Know – Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox offense is alive and has given Boston a leg-up in the ALCS. Boston scored double-digit runs for the second time this postseason and is averaging 7.3 runs in the playoffs. The Red Sox have dropped just one contest in their last six playoff games.
On the mound for Boston is expected to be right-hander Nick Pivetta. Pivetta picked up the win in extra innings in Game 3 of the ALDS, firing 4.0 innings, allowing three hits, no runs, and striking out seven. The 28-year old was 9-8 with a 4.53 ERA and 1.30 WHIP during the regular season.
No other player in the postseason has been as hotter at the plate than Enrique Hernandez. Kike is 18-for-36 (.500) at the plate, with five home runs, nine runs scored, and nine RBI. Third baseman Rafael Devers and designated hitter J.D. Martinez blasted their second home runs of the series in last night’s blowout victory.
The Pick is In
The momentum shifted in Tuesday night’s triumph to the team from the Northeast. Boston can really put the pressure on the Astros with a win Tuesday night and the opportunity to knock off Houston at home on Wednesday.
Houston won’t back down, and I expect the Astros offense to come alive in Game 4 and make this game another exciting matchup. Greinke doesn’t have the stuff to keep this red hot Red Sox offense at bay, which will ultimately be the difference in the contest.
Boston pulls out the victory in another high-scoring showdown between these two AL powers.
Betting Pick: Boston Red Sox ML
