Free MLB Pick: Astros vs. Red Sox Odds
Looking for Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox Free MLB predictions? MLB betting sees the Astros taking on the Red Sox in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series Wednesday, October 20th, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston, MA. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLB baseball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily MLB predictions like this Astros-Red Sox ALCS Game 5 free pick.
2021 MLB Handicapping: ALCS Game 5
(2-2) Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox (2-2)
Date: Wednesday, October 20th, 2021
Time: 5:08 PM ET
Venue: Fenway Park, Boston, MA
Projected Pitchers: Framber Valdez (HOU) vs. Chris Sale (BOS)
MLB Moneyline Odds: Astros +110 Red Sox -120 (Bet Now!)
MLB run line Betting Odds: Astros +1.5, Red Sox -1.5
MLB Baseball Gambling Total: O/U: 9.5
The Astros will be in Boston to take on the Red Sox for Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. The first pitch is set for 5:08 ET.
This will be a re-match of Game 1. Framber Valdez will be going against Chris Sale.
Houston won 9-2 on Tuesday and they have now evened up the series.
Houston Astros
The Astros did a good job of bouncing back after playing back-to-back bad games. I cannot say that I am surprised because that is what good teams do.
Even though a lot of their scoring came later in the game, it just seemed like this team was more locked in on Tuesday. They seemed more focused and you could tell they knew how important it was for them to win this game.
In the previous games, the Red Sox were the ones who were having big innings. On Tuesday, Houston scored 7 runs in the 9th inning which sealed off the victory for them.
Zack Greinke went 1.1 innings and allowed 2 earned runs on Tuesday. After he left, a total of 5 relievers were used.
The Astros will once again call on Framber Valdez. He was not very effective in game 1 and he will need to be much better if they plan on winning this game.
The pitching really stepped up yesterday after Greinke left. The bullpen did a very good job of containing that powerful Boston offense.
The offense did not do much against starter Nick Pivetta, but they did a good job against Nathan Eovaldi who came in for relief.
Coming into the game on Tuesday, a big concern for this team was the 1-3 hitters. They played much better in game 4.
Boston Red Sox
After playing two good games in a row, the Red Sox simply did not play all that well on Tuesday night.
They certainly had chances to win this ball game, but ultimately they could not do enough. I would not be surprised to see this team turn it around for game 5 because this team is so good at responding after a loss.
Even though the final score indicates a blowout, this game was closer for a while. The Sox just let the 9th inning get away from them and the rest is history. I look for this team to not have that happen again in this series.
Starter Nick Pivetta was absolutely not the issue for the Red Sox on Tuesday night. He went 5 innings and allowed 1 earned run. The bullpen is what killed Boston in that game.
The Red Sox are really counting on Chris Sale in this game on Wednesday. So far, he has not been great in the playoffs. I would not say that he pitched poorly in game 1 of the series, but he just did not go all that long.
Boston brought in Nate Eovaldi for the 9th inning on Tuesday and it did not go as planned. He went 0.2 innings and allowed 4 earned runs. I cannot say that I’m surprised Cora did it, but it definitely was risky.
The offense got held in check in game 4. Xander Bogaerts hit a 2-run homer in the 1st inning and that was all the scoring this team did.
Once again, you do not sense any panic with this team. Even after a loss, you just expect them to shake it off and bounce back.
MLB Baseball Betting Trends:
- The Astros are 2-6 in their last 8 road games.
- The Astros are 1-5 in their last 6 games as a road underdog.
- The Red Sox are 4-0 in their last 4 games following a loss.
- The Red Sox are 7-1 in their last 8 playoff home games.
Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox MLB Prediction:
As strictly a baseball fan, this series has been very exciting and entertaining. No team seems like they want to give in.
Although Houston took game 4, I still do not trust them that much. They have used a lot of their bullpen guys throughout the series and I think that could come back to hurt them when all is said and done.
Boston has done a good job of putting losses behind them. I look for them to put game 4 behind them and get a win on Wednesday.
Although he has not been great, I trust Chris Sale more than Framber Valdez. Give me the Sox here.
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