8/21 Boston Red Sox @ Houston Astros 2:10pm EST

Over 8.5 -114 (1.5u)

Headed to Houston where last night was a high scoring 5-4 affair with the Astros taking it. The Astros are now 8-2 over their last 10 games following this win and are hitting .263 over their last 10 games. They will take on the Red Sox who have .500 over their last 10 games and have hit .266 during this span.

Today, we get a battle between two right-handers in Cooper Criswell for the Red Sox and Justin Verlander for the Astros. Starting with Criswell, he has made 19 starts on the season and is 5-4 with a 4.56 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. His last start came against the Orioles on 8/16 where he went 3.1 allowing 6 runs on 9 hits, 4 walks, and 1 K. Against the Royals on 8/5, Criswell went just 0.2 allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, and 1 K. Criswell has been worse away from Fenway, as in 6 starts on the road he has a 5.25 ERA compared to making 7 starts at home with a 3.92 ERA. 

As for Justin Verlander, he is coming off the IL and making his first start since 6/9 which was against the Angels where he went 5.0 innings allowing 4 runs on 7 hits, and 3 K’s. Against the Cardinals prior to his last start, Verlander went 5.0 allowing 4 runs on 7 hits, 3 home runs, 2 walks, and 4 K’s. 

Against RHP, these are two of the best clubs in the league as the Red Sox rank 2nd with a .267 and the Astros rank 3rd with a .261. We like the bats to stay hot in this one as we see two starting pitchers that are more than capable of giving up their fair share of hits and two teams that have shown the ability all year to getting on base, especially against RHP. Take the over here in Houston.