MLB Monday May 16th Astros at Red Sox Betting Preview
Boston Remains in the AL East Cellar
The pricing on the May 16th Astros at Red Sox betting matchup looks a bit off at first glance with last place Boston being a -125 favorite. The Sox are just 3-7 over their last 10 games, and just got spanked 7-1 in Texas on Sunday although they did take two of three in Arlington.
Houston meanwhile comes to Fenway Park with 12 wins in their last 13 games. They had an 11-game win streak snapped in a 13-6 loss in Washington on Saturday, but bounced back nicely in a dominant 8-0 win to wrap up the series with the Nationals. Playing their 7th straight road game could start to wear on the Astros, but they still have a ton of value at +105.
Astros Due for a Slip Up?
Houston started off their current road trip with a three game sweep in Minnesota and then went on to take two of three in Washington. Saturday’s 13-6 loss was disappointing as -127 favorites, but it also came at the end of an 11-game win streak that has helped the Astros pull into a tie with the Angels for 1st place in the AL West.
Jose Altuve returned to the lineup on Sunday after missing Saturday’s loss with a leg ailment, and he helped fuel a late inning power surge with his 7th HR of the season as the Astros rebounded with an 8-0 win in Washington. Yuli Gurriel, Chas McCormick, and Martin Maldonado also went deep on Sunday, all after the 5th inning.
Can the Houston offense keep it going in the May 16th Astros at Red Sox betting contest? This team has rattled off at least 5 runs in 7 straight games, which should give Monday’s starter Jake Odorizzi (3-2, 3.38 ERA) some relief. Then again Odorizzi has a couple of 1-hit outings in his last three starts and has allowed a total of 1 ER over that span. Why are the Astros underdogs again?
Back in Bean Town
Boston will try to snap a five game home losing streak when they return to Fenway Park on Monday night. The Red Sox went 3-2 on their most recent road trip to Atlanta and Texas but missed out on the sweep of the Rangers with the 7-1 disappointment loss on Sunday.
The Red Sox are now 12 games back of the Yankees as Boston sits in last place in the AL East. The good news is they did average over 6 runs/game on their recent road trip but the bad news is they are just 4-9 at home on the season. Rafael Devers and J.D. Martinez have both hit over .400 the past five games so can they stay hot and carry the Sox to the win in this series opener?
Garrett Whitlock (1-1, 2.19 ERA) takes the ball for his 5th straight start after beginning the year out of the bullpen. He has a 3.00 ERA in those starts, but the problem is going long as he’s been capped at 5.0 IP. The right-hander’s pitch count has increased each game so maybe he can give Alex Cora upwards of 90 pitches on Monday night.
Free May 16th Astros at Red Sox Betting Preview
Houston is one of those too easy bets in this spot at +105 despite winning 12 of their last 13 games. Odorizzi has been dominant for the Astros and he’s up against a converted reliever who may be limited at around 80 pitches. 67% of the betting public are taking the bait, but this trap line says Boston is the play.
Free Pick: Red Sox -125
