The Boston Red Sox meet the Houston Astros in a key Game 3 matchup of their 2021 American League Championship Series on Monday at Boston. The Red Sox evened the series at 1-1 with a 9-5 win at Houston on Saturday. The Astros (95-67), who won the AL West, are looking to advance to their third World Series in five years. The Red Sox (90-72), who earned a wild card spot after finishing tied for second in the AL East, are looking to earn their fifth trip to the World Series since 2004 and second time in four years.
The game is slated to begin at 8:08 p.m. ET from Fenway Park. The Red Sox and Astros continue to be two of the top three hitting teams this postseason. Boston has an MLB-high .318 team batting average, while the Astros are hitting .286. Boston is a -115 favorite (risk $115 to win $100) on the money line in the latest Astros vs. Red Sox odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total runs scored is nine. Before making any Astros vs. Red Sox picks, be sure to see the 2021 MLB playoff predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model.
This model, which simulates every game 10,000 times, enters the third week of the 2021 MLB playoffs with a 207-176 record on top-rated MLB money-line picks, returning well over $600. Anyone following it has seen some huge returns.
Now, the model has dialed in on Red Sox vs. Astros and just released its coveted 2021 ALCS picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model’s ALCS picks. Here are the MLB odds and betting lines for Astros vs. Red Sox:
- Astros vs. Red Sox money line: Houston +105, Boston -115
- Astros vs. Red Sox run line: Boston -1.5 (+160)
- Astros vs. Red Sox over-under: 9 runs
- HOU: The Astros are 4-0 in their last four games after allowing five runs or more in their previous game
- BOS: The Red Sox are 6-0 in their last six postseason home games
Featured Game | Boston Red Sox vs. Houston Astros
Why you should back the Red Sox
Boston is expected to start left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (13-8, 4.74 ERA). Although he is 0-1 in the postseason, he is coming off a solid performance in a no-decision against Tampa Bay last Monday in a 6-5 victory, allowing just two earned runs on three hits in five innings of work.
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts has been on fire this postseason with three multi-hit performances in seven games. In a 9-5 Game 2 win at Houston, Bogaerts was 2-for-5 with a double. He is 9-for-28 (.321) with one double, two homers and four RBIs. During the regular season, Bogaerts batted .295 with 23 homers, 79 RBIs and 90 runs scored. Entering the series, he has hit the Astros well, batting .311 with 14 doubles, eight homers and 31 RBIs in 43 games.
Also powering the Red Sox is outfielder Alex Verdugo, who has an eight-game hitting streak including in all seven postseason games. Verdugo was 2-for-4 with a walk and a double in the Game 2 victory. He is batting .429 in the series and is 11-for-30 (.367) in the playoffs. He is hitting .269 against the Astros in seven career games.
Why you should back the Astros
Houston is expected to send right-hander Jose Urquidy (8-3, 3.62 ERA) to the mound. In 20 regular-season starts this season, he walked just 19 batters, while striking out 90. He has not pitched since facing Oakland on Oct. 3. In that game, he allowed just three earned runs on four hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out three. He won eight of his last nine decisions this season, the last coming in a 10-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 21. In one career start against Boston, he picked up the win, allowing one run on three hits in six innings, walking one and striking out nine.
Shortstop Carlos Correa has been red hot in the postseason, with hits in five of six games. In Game 1 of the ALCS, he was 3-for-4 with a home run. He is 9-for-21 (.429) in the postseason with two doubles, one home run and five RBIs. During the regular season, Correa batted .279 with 26 homers, 92 RBIs and 104 runs scored. He has had a lot of success against Boston in 2021, batting .393 with three doubles, two home runs and five RBIs.
How to make Red Sox vs. Astros ALCS picks
The model is leaning over on the total, projecting 10.4 combined runs. It also says one side of the money line has all the value. Head to SportsLine now to see its MLB picks.
So who wins Game 3 of Astros vs. Red Sox in the ALCS 2021? And which side of the money line has all the value? Visit SpotsLine now to see which side to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its MLB picks, and find out.
