Red Sox at Astros Game 6 Betting Preview: Rested Astros Look to Purchase their Tickets to the World Series
The Houston Astros have come back from being down two games to 1 and now lead the ALCS 3 games to 2. The Boston Red Sox had all of the momentum heading into Game 4, but then Houston woke up and scored nine runs in back-to-back victories. Are the Astros destined for their 3rd World Series appearance since 2017?
Let’s take a look at the game preview and MLB betting odds for Game 6 of the ALCS.
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Betting Odds & Betting Lines
Betonline has the Red Sox Moneyline at -107 and the Astros at +103. According to Bovada, the MoneyLines are even at -110 for both teams.
Red Sox Preview: Can the Bullpen Save the Day?
There are concerns for Boston heading into Game 6. First of all, this offense has gone extremely cold over the past two games, scoring a combined total of 3 runs. Secondly, Nathan Eovaldi will be throwing on short rest after throwing two-thirds of an inning in Game 4, where he gave up four runs.
Starting pitchers are creatures of habit, and throwing off their rhythm even just a little bit often leads to ill effects. For example, We saw Julio Urias of the Dodgers get knocked around in Game 4 of the NLCS after he worked out of the bullpen in game 2. Eovaldi also has to face a scorching hot lineup at their home field.
Eovaldi is bound to have a short leash in this one. The first sign of trouble will prompt Alex Cora to make a move and bring in a reliever. The Red Sox bullpen will need to step up in this game if they have any shot of forcing Game 7.
If the Sox’ pen can limit Houston, that will be crucial in keeping them in this one. Otherwise, the Red Sox are going to have to rely on their struggling offense.
From an offense perspective, Rafael Devers has been the one constant over the team’s last two losses, as he has three hits over that span.
Astros Preview: Don’t Miss Mistakes
RHP Luis Garcia gets the ball in game 6. Garcia lasted just one inning in Game 2 while surrendering five runs on three walks. He will look to turn it around in this potential series-ending game.
The Astors are currently seeing the baseball very well and are facing a pitcher who has already thrown on two different occasions in the series. Eovaldi is likely going to leave a few pitches up in the zone, and Houston needs to make him pay.
Expect the Astros to have a patient approach at the plate but to attack anything hanging over the middle of the zone. Almost every batter in this lineup is hitting the ball well right now, so scoring runs shouldn’t be an issue for the Astros.
Game 6 X-Factors?
I don’t expect either pitcher to fare extremely well in this game. Is it possible that one of them pulls a Framber Valdez and stuns the competition? Absolutely.
But look for the offenses to be the talking point in this matchup.
There is a good chance that Kyle Schwarber is batting leadoff against the right-handed throwing Garcia. When you think of Schwarber, your mind naturally goes to his mammoth power. But it is his ability to get on base that is appealing in Game 6.
The Red Sox have struggled to spark rallies with base runners, so if Schwarber is able to draw a walk or two, that might get things going for Boston offensively. And if he ends up smacking a home run as well, I don’t think any Red Sox fans are going to complain.
I’m tempted to just write “the entire lineup” for the Astros. With the way they are crushing the ball right now, I wouldn’t be shocked to see another offensive slugfest. However, one player who tends to get overlooked in this deep lineup is Michael Brantley.
Yes, he is not a flashy player as he isn’t going to hit 40 home runs or steal 30 bases per season. But Brantley is a pure hitter. He seems to always hit near or over .300 while spraying the ball all over the field.
Brantley is coming off of a 2-hit game on Wednesday and seems to be trending in the right direction.
Prediction: Game 6 Winner?
The sports betting lines and betting odds all have this matchup coming down to the wire. Unless you are an Astros fan, almost everyone else would love to see this series go the full seven games. But, my MLB betting pick for Game 6 is for the Houston Astros to close out the series.
I love a Game 7 as much as the next guy, but the Astros are simply playing too good of baseball right now. The Framber Valdez dominant eight-inning outing in Game 5 helped save this bullpen, so even if Garcia labors early, Houston has a well-rested relief core to lean on.
Game 6 should be competitive and exciting but expect the Houston Astros to purchase their ticket to the World Series.
