8:10 pm
August 2

Red Sox @ Astros

Who will WIN this matchup?

Boston Red Sox (52-52)

@ Houston Astros (67-37)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Crawford (BOS): 2-3; 4.15 ERA

Javier (HOU) 6-6; 3.26 ERA

 

Current odds:

Boston Red Sox: (+178)

Houston Astros: (-215)

 

• With the trade deadline fast approaching and a second World Series title their foremost goal, the Houston Astros deepened their roster on Monday by acquiring utility man Trey Mancini from the Baltimore Orioles and catcher Christian Vazquez from Boston mere hours before they opened a three-game series against the visiting Red Sox. Vazquez was in the starting lineup and was subsequently scratched before the Red Sox claimed a 3-2 decision in the series opener.

• Right-hander Cristian Javier (6-6, 3.26 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Astros on Tuesday. After allowing one run on one hit and one walk with 27 strikeouts over consecutive starts against the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels, Javier is winless over his last four starts, going 0-3 with a 5.79 ERA and .873 opponent OPS. He has recorded no more than 15 outs in any of those appearances, including his start on Wednesday when he allowed three runs on five hits and one walk with six strikeouts over five innings in a 4-2 road loss to the Oakland Athletics.

• Rookie right-hander Kutter Crawford (2-3, 4.15) has the starting assignment for the Red Sox. Crawford is winless over his last four starts, going 0-1 despite a 3.18 ERA and a .626 opponent OPS. He did not factor into the decision of the Red Sox’s 4-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday, having allowed one run on three hits with two strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings. He has allowed more than three earned runs only once in six starts this season.

• The Red Sox, mired in last place in the AL East, were both sellers and buyers. While moving Vazquez to the Astros, they acquired fellow catcher Reese McGuire from the Chicago White Sox and outfielder Tommy Pham from the Cincinnati Reds.

6/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Houston Astros
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