Boston Red Sox at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions

The Boston Red Sox (65-59) and Houston Astros (68-56) play the middle contest of a 3-game series Tuesday. First pitch from Minute Maid Park is set for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Red Sox vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Astros lead 4-0

The Red Sox have tailed off lately, going just 4-8 across the past 12 outings. That skid includes a 3-game sweep at Fenway Park at the hands of the Astros, as Houston outscored Boston 23-10, and a 5-4 loss to the Astros in Monday’s series opener.

Boston has managed to hit the Over at a 21-6-1 mark across the past 28 games, with the Over going 2-1 in the 3-game set with Houston.

Houston has caught fire lately, winning 3 in a row, while going 11-1 across the previous 12 outings to seize control of the AL West. Pitching has been a major reason for the turnaround, allowing 4 or fewer runs in 13 of the previous 14 outings.

The Under is 5-2 across the past 7 outings, although the Over is 3-1 in 4 tries against Boston, including Monday’s series opener.

Red Sox at Astros projected starters

RHP Nick Pivetta vs. RHP Ronel Blanco

Pivetta (5-8, 4.49 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.13 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 11.0 K/9 in 100 1/3 IP.

• Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 3 ER, 3 H (2 HR), 1 BB, 6 K in 5-1 road setback vs. Baltimore Orioles Thursday
• 2024 road splits: 3-4, 3.90 ERA (57 2/3 IP, 25 ER), 1.01 WHIP, .226 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 9 BB, 66 K in 11 starts
• Career vs. Astros: 2-2, 3.32 ERA (21 2/3 IP, 8 ER), 0.69 WHIP, 10.8 K/9 in 4 appearances (3 starts)

Blanco (9-6, 2.89 ERA) makes his 24th start. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 4.4 BB/9 and 10.4 K/9 in 121 2/3 IP.

• Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 2-1 road win in 10 innings vs. Tampa Bay Rays last Wednesday
• 2024 home splits: 4-4, 3.06 ERA (70 2/3 IP, 24 ER), 0.96 WHIP, .167 OBA, 10 HR, 27 BB, 70 K in 12 starts (1 CG)
• Career vs. Red Sox: No-decision, 4 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 6 K in 8-4 road win Aug. 9

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Red Sox at Astros odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:46 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Red Sox +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Astros -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Red Sox -1.5 (+164) | Astros +1.5 (-200)
• Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -104 | U: -118)

Red Sox at Astros picks and predictions

Prediction

Astros 4, Red Sox 3

The ASTROS (-130) are a solid play behind Blanco in Game 2 of this series.

Houston has been lights out lately, winning 11 of the past 12 outings, while Boston has really struggled with consistency. Pivetta has been equally uneven. The Red Sox right-hander cannot be trusted in this matchup with Blanco, who has tremendous numbers, especially at home.

The Astros +1.5 (-200) will cost you 2 times your potential return, if you require a little bit of insurance and just cannot bring yourself to play Houston straight up.

It’s too much risk, and not nearly enough reward. If you like Houston, just play it straight up.

AVOID.

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UNDER 8.5 (-118) is a solid play, especially behind Blanco.

The Under has connected in 5 of the past 7 outings for the Astros, with Houston pitching conceding 4 or fewer runs in 13 of the previous 14 outings. The Under is 15-5 in the past 20 starts by Blanco, too, while going 8-1 in his previous 9 outings at Minute Maid Park.

For the Red Sox, the Under has a slight 3-2 edge in the past 5 games.

You may love betting on sports, but until college football and the NFL seasons officially start, the pickings can get slim. You can fill some of that time and scratch that itch at online casinos and enjoy slots, blackjack, video poker and more.

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