Red Sox Look for Commanding Lead in ALCS
The Houston Astros are in MUST WIN territory in the ALCS. The Boston Red Sox stunned the Houston Astros and their fans in Minute Maid Park Tuesday night in an 8-2 route of the defending World Series Champions.
Jumping out to a two-run lead in the first inning, Boston never looked back. They sealed the deal in the eighth after putting up a five-spot on Roberto Osuna. With that victory, all of the pressure is back on Houston to tie the series in Game 4.
TV: 8:39 p.m. ET, TBS
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (1-0, 1.35 ERA) vs. Astros RH Charlie Morton (regular season: 15-3, 3.13)
Odds: Astros are -150-moneyline favorites. The total is 8.5 Under -125.
After dropping Game 1 of the ALCS at home and learning of Ace Chris Sale’s debilitating stomach illness, Boston fans feared the worst. Jackie Bradley Jr. powered the Red Sox with a bases-loaded double in Game 2. It secured a lead that they would not relinquish.
Bradley Jr. was at it again in Game 3. This time the center fielder cleared the bases with a grand slam and put the game out of reach for good.
Houston will need to find a way to stop Bradley Jr. in Game 4. Their league-best pitching staff (3.11 ERA) is already challenged by keeping MVP candidates Mookie Betts and JD Martinez at bay.
The addition of Bradley Jr. makes Boston virtually impossible to shut down entirely.
Game 4 of ALCS Should be a Quality Matchup
Porcello was a 17-game winner in the regular season. He struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief in Game 2 of this series. He won his lone start of the AL Division Series.
Porcello gave up one run and four hits over five innings against the Yankees and he said he has adjusted to the dual role.
Morton posted career highs for victories and strikeouts (201) during the regular season. This will be his first appearance of the postseason. He has pitched just four innings over the last month.
His last outing being a three-inning stint against the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 30.
Red Sox LHP Chris Sale (stomach) rejoined the team and will throw a bullpen session Wednesday. The team will then decide whether or not he will start Thursday's Game 5.
Houston 2B Jose Altuve (knee) served as the DH in Game 3 and Hinch is leaning toward keeping him in that role in Game 4.
Boston DH J.D. Martinez had a run-scoring double in Game 3, his lone hit in 11 at-bats in the series.
PREDICTION: Astros 6, Red Sox 5
ALCS Betting Odds & Trends
| Boston Red Sox | ||
|---|---|---|
| Red Sox are 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games | ||
| Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games | ||
| The total has gone OVER in 10 of Boston's last 12 games | ||
| Boston is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road | ||
| Boston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road | ||
| The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games on the road | ||
| Boston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Houston | ||
| The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston's last 9 games when playing Houston | ||
| The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 8 games when playing on the road against Houston | ||
Houston Astros | ||
|---|---|---|
| Astros are 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games | ||
| Houston is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games | ||
| The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games | ||
| Houston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home | ||
| Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home | ||
| The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games at home | ||
| Houston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Boston | ||
| The total has gone OVER in 8 of Houston's last 9 games when playing Boston | ||
| The total has gone OVER in 7 of Houston's last 8 games when playing at home against Boston | ||
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