The Houston Astros (47-34) are straight up dominating the American League West. Currently on five-game win streak, the Astros bring their talents to Beantown later tonight to start a three-game series at Fenway Park. The Boston Red Sox (37-44) are trending to the right direction of late themselves, winning four of their last five games. That includes their 12-6 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. Read on for our preview of this battle between two of the AL’s hotter teams.
Over at the National League, the Padres and the Cards play the second of their four-game set later tonight. Click here for a full preview of that game.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox Preview
Where: Fenway Park, Boston
When: Friday, July 3, 2015, 7:10 PM ET
Line: Houston Astros (+130) vs. Boston Red Sox (-140); total: 9.0 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Houston Astros
[sc:MLB240banner ]Dan Straily is back to the big show. After spending time in the minors this season, Straily gets the ball later tonight for his first major league appearance since last year.
Prior to taking the hill at Fenway Park tonight, Straily had made 14 starts at Triple-A Fresno this season. During that stretch, he came up with a 6-6 record and a disappointing 4.06 ERA. That being said, Straily’s 70:14 strikeout-walk ratio is something that justifies Houston’s decision to recall the righty. Straily enters the series-opener against Boston with a 13-12 record and a 4.54 ERA in his career thus far in the majors.
The Astros’ offense, meanwhile, took a big blow Thursday, as George Springer was placed on the 15-day disabled list. That’s after the outfielder got hit on the wrist in Houston’s 6-5 win over the Royals on Wednesday. With Springer out, the Astros are going to miss one of their best defensive pieces and hitters. The outfielder is hitting .264 with 13 homers and 29 RBIs thus far this season.
Look for Jose Altuve to fill in his spot atop the batting order. Altuve has been on fire of late, as he is hitting .381 with two homers and four RBIs over his last six games.
Houston is 4-6 in its last 10 road games.
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Betting on the Boston Red Sox
Justin Masterson is going to make at least one more start for the Red Sox. That much was ascertained after a strong pitching performance by seven-year veteran in his most recent start, a 5-3 win at Tampa Bay last Sunday.
Masterson took Joe Kelly’s spot in the rotation after Kelly was demoted to the minors and based on his performance against the Rays, Boston is willing to keep him in the rotation in the meantime. Masterson held the Rays to just one run on five hits in five innings of work. It was Masterson’s first start since May 12 after spending time on the DL because of right shoulder tendinitis.
Masterson, however, has a long way to go in terms of improving his numbers to a respectable level. Thus far this season Masterson has a 3-2 record, a 5.58 ERA, 4.74 FIP, and 4.70 xFIP.
With that said, the Boston’s offense are pressed to come through tonight against Houston. Outfielder Alejandro De Aza is among those expected to deliver, as he is on a hot streak of late. De Aza is batting .346 with two homers, three triples, and eight RBIs over his last seven games. The Red Sox are eighth in the majors in batting average against righties (.262) and sixth in on-base percentage (.326).
Dating back to 2003, Boston is 8-2 in its last 10 home games against the Astros.
Writer’s Prediction
Boston (-140) wins, 7-5.
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