Red Sox and Astros Meet For Game 1 Of ALCS

• The Houston Astros are (-140) betting favorites against the Boston Red Sox (+120) in Game 1 of the ALCS.
• The total for the game is set at 8.5 with (-105) odds on the OVER.
• A run to be scored in the first inning has (-110) odds on sportsbooks.

HOUSTON – The Houston Astros will have home-field advantage for the first game of the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox.

Betting The Moneyline

The Houston Astros are the favorites on regulated betting sites in Game 1 against the Boston Red Sox. Houston has compiled a 53-30 record at home this season while the Red Sox are 44-39 on the road.

Boston has been the best team at the plate in this postseason with a .328 BA, .372 OBP, and .547 SLG, all of which lead the league. They’ve also hit the most home runs, scored the most runs, and have the most total bases.

However, the Astros make a good case to be the second-best team at the plate in the playoffs as they rank third in BA and second in OBP, SLG, OPS, runs scored, hits, and total bases. There could be a good reason for those betting on the MLB to look into the total.

Betting The Total

Given each team’s efficiency at the plate, the OVER could very well be in play. However, it gets even more enticing when taking into account the pitching matchup for the game.

Framber Valdez, Houston’s starter, has struggled recently as he’s allowed four or more runs in four of his last six starts. Chris Sale, Boston’s starter, hasn’t been too hot either. He’s allowed 12 runs in his last 13.2 innings.

At least nine runs have been scored in six of Sale’s 10 appearances this season while the same can be said for five of Valdez’s last six starts.

Run Scored In First Inning

Combining the poor pitching and strong batting and the prop bet of a run to be scored in the first inning may be worth the risk to sports bettors.

Boston is the single highest-scoring first-inning team in the league, while Houston also ranks inside the top 10. A run has been scored in the first frame in five of Valdez’s last six starts, as well as in five of Sale’s 10 starts this season.

The game will start at 8:07 p.m. EST and can be seen on FOX.

News tags: ALCS | Boston Red Sox | Chris Sale | Framber Valdez | Houston Astros | MLB