Houston Astros vs Boston Red Sox Prediction 8-22-23 MLB Picks

The Boston Red Sox and the Houston Astros meet Tuesday in MLB action from Minute Maid Park. This will be the second installment in a four-game series. On Monday in the opener, the Astros posted a five-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Boston Red Sox 

The Red Sox were able to pummel the rival Yankees over the weekend, taking a three-game road sweep with wins 8-3, 8-1 and 6-5. On Sunday Boston’s Justin Turner (four RBI) and Rafael Devers (three runs) each had a homer. On Monday versus Houston, the Sox jumped out to a 3-0 lead early but then gave up seven runs over the first four innings in a 9-4 loss. Alex Verdugo went 3-for-5 with a run in the defeat. 

In the starter slot for the Sox on Tuesday it’ll be Tanner Houck. Over 13 starts this year Houck is 3-6 with a 5.05 ERA and 64 Ks in 67.2 innings. Houck is 0-5 with a 4.79 ERA and 19 earned runs in 35.2 innings over his last seven starts. 

Boston Red Sox Team Facts

• The Red Sox have won each of their last six Tuesday night games as underdogs against American League opponents.
• The Red Sox have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 games as underdogs against AL West opponents following a road loss.
• The Red Sox have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five games at Minute Maid Park against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Red Sox have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last five games against opponents that held a winning record.
• The Red Sox have won the first inning in five of their last six games as underdogs against AL West opponents.

Boston Red Sox Player Prop Facts

• Rafael Devers ranks T9th in the league in Home Runs (29) this season.

Houston Astros 

Over on the Astros’ side, they lost some ground in the division over the weekend with a three-game sweep at home by the Mariners. On Sunday in a 7-6 loss Houston got two RBI apiece fro both Yordan Alvarez and Mauricio Dubon. On Monday versus Boston, the Astros got four RBI and two homers from Chas McCormick. Yainer Diaz also had a solo homer in the win. 

Justin Verlander will take the mound for the Astros on Tuesday. Across 19 starts so far Verlander is 8-6 with a 3.36 ERA and 94 Ks in 112.1 innings. Verlander is 3-1 with a 1.85 ERA in his last four starts total. 

Houston Astros Team Facts

• The Astros have lost five of their last six games as favorites against AL East opponents following a win.
• The Astros have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games as favorites against AL East opponents following a win.
• The Astros have lost the first inning in each of their last three games as favorites against AL East opponents.
• The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Astros' last five games against AL East opponents.
• The Astros have led after 3 innings in each of their last five games against the Red Sox at Minute Maid Park.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Houston Astros ranks 4th in the league for strikeouts against this season (992).
• The Houston Astros ranks 5th in the league for ERA this season (3.85).
• The Boston Red Sox ranks 2nd in the league for doubles this season (268).
• The Boston Red Sox ranks 3rd in the league for hits this season (1120).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to go with the Astros. Verlander has had a few ups and downs over his last two starts, posting seven earned on 15 hits and two walks in 11.0 total innings. That said, Verlander is 2-0 in that pair and getting some solid backup from the rest of the team. As for Houck, he’s gone 0-2 in his last three starts with seven earned in 15.0 innings. On Monday Houston wasn’t spectacular on the mound with 11 hits surrendered (and they used four pitchers out of the pen) but the hot offense more than made up for it. That makes six or more runs in four of the last six games for the Astros, and I think they’ll keep it going in game two.