Premium Record: 36-20-1, +23.89u
MLB Playoffs: 4-2, +2.84u
*MLB(1.5u): Astros ML(+112) @ Red Sox–7:08 PM CT
The Red Sox came out in Game 3 of this series and put an absolute whooping on the Astros, eventually winning 12-3. The Astros understand the nature of the postseason better than anybody; this is their 6th postseason appearance in the last 7 years, and they’ve managed to make 2 World Series appearances in that span. They’ve been let down mightily by their starting pitching youth so far in the series, but they’ll turn to a seasoned vet in Zack Greinke to take the hill tonight. Greinke is well past his prime and didn’t have an overly great season, but he is experienced in this role and was brought over to Houston to win these types of games. In my mind, he has a clear advantage over Red Sox SP Nick Pivetta, who is competing in his first ever postseason and was generally unreliable for the Red Sox this season(4.53 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 2.1 HR/9 at Fenway). The Red Sox bullpen has been a strength for them this postseason, but I think that’s bound to reverse course; Boston’s bullpen garnered a 1.39 WHIP during the regular season, good for just 23rd in all of baseball. We are getting incredible value on the Astros tonight who find themselves in a familiar backs-against-the-wall situation. Give me Houston to even up this series.
