We saw another high scoring affair in the fifth game of this series. So far in the ALCS the score lines have been, 5-4 (Astros), 9-5 (Red Sox), 12-3 (Red Sox), 9-2 (Astros) and 9-1 (Astros) making the lowest total score in this series nine runs! The Astros and Red Sox are proving just why they are two of the most explosive teams in the league, in terms of offense.
Look below to find our free MLB picks for tonight’s American League Championship Series Game Five between the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox!
Boston Red Sox @ Houston Astros (Game 6) – 8.08pm EDT
It was another bloodbath for the Red Sox in game five, and just another high scoring affair with 10 runs being scored, but only one of those runs came from the Red Sox. With the Astros leading the series 3-2, this becomes a must win game for the Red Sox, who will have to do things the hard way, as they are playing in Houston. Can the Astros wrap up the ALCS in six games and book their spot in the World Series, or will the Red Sox take this series out to the full seven games?
Tim Newton
Houston did what they needed to on the road and now return home with two free swings at making the World Series, but can they get the job done in Game Six and give themselves an extra break. This has been an extremely offensive-heavy series so far, and that is exemplified in how both of the starting pitchers have fared in their appearances so far.
Rafael Devers is tied for the most #postseason HR (8) by a player before turning 25.
The others:
Mickey Mantle
Albert Pujols
Carlos Correa pic.twitter.com/tZafoo5xBB— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 20, 2021
Luis Garcia is starting for Houston and he will be hoping for a much better result than in his last start where he allowed Boston to score five runs in just one inning of work. Meanwhile, Nathan Eovaldi is starting for the Red Sox and he has given up seven runs in six innings of work across two games, but his most recent showing was a four run performance where he lasted just two outs, unable to see out the full inning.
Based on that, the over seems to be the smart play given the line is just 8.5 runs. Especially when you consider that both sides have had eight straight games of their total reaching nine or more, including all five of this series.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Over 8.5 (-115)
Katherine Mouradian
It’s do or die for the Red Sox, and they will be playing on the road in Houston, which doesn’t make things easier for them. There has been momentum swing after momentum swing in this series, and it could all come to a close if the Astros can win this game. Only the first game of the series was close, the other four have been complete blow outs. Can we expect another blow out, or will this one be a closer game?
The Red Sox had the momentum, winning the second and third game, but after losing the fourth and fifth, they handed the momentum right back to the Astros. It’s going to be difficult to get the momentum back, especially after losing so convincingly in those two games, and only scoring three runs in total in Game Four and Five. We are expecting to see Eovaldi on the mound for the Red Sox and this will be his fourth postseason start. In the postseason he has a record of 2-1 which includes an ERA of 5.51, a WHIP of 1.102, along with four walks and 21 strikeouts, across 16.1 innings. The last time we saw Eovaldi on the mound was not his best work, he came on as a relief pitcher in the third game, and he only threw for two thirds of an inning, and he allowed four runs on just two hits.
The Astros are just one game away from the World Series and have shown just how explosive they can be with the bat in the last two games. We are likely to see Garcia on the mound for the Astros, and this will be his third start for the postseason. Throughout the postseason so far his record stands at 0-1, which includes an ERA of 24.55, a WHIP of 3.542, along with six walks and five strikeouts, across 3.2 innings. Last start Garcia took a loss, which was in Game Two of this series.
After watching the first five games of this series, I have come to expect the unexpected. There have been so many ups and downs in this series, and it is just too good of a series to not go the full seven games. I think the Red Sox, with their backs against the wall, will come out firing and win this game. Both pitchers are questionable considering their last performances, but Garcia is also dealing with a knee issue, which means there will be more reliance on their bullpen for this one. The Red Sox have proved already in the second and third game they can perform with the bats, and I’m expecting a resurgence in the sixth game.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Boston Red Sox (-108)
Mike Su
The Astros have been red-hot in their last 2 games with back to back 9 run games. This batting unit is finally looking like the unit that ranked at the top of the league in runs scored during the regular season. The Red Sox on the other hand continue their streaky play scoring just 1 run last game and 3 runs in their last 2 games. This comes in great contrast to the 12-3 beatdown the Red Sox delivered in game 3.
Going into game 6, the Red Sox are looking to equalize this series and avoid elimination. In order to do so they are starting their best pitcher Nathan Eovaldi.Eovaldi has been hit or miss in this series with a 1-1 record with 7 runs allowed in just 6 innings. In fact in his last game against the Astros, Eovaldi had 4 runs allowed in less than a full inning of play. This comes in stark contrast to his strong play against the Yankees and Rays earlier in the playoffs. Eovaldi will need to step up alongside with the Red Sox batting unit which has also been in a rut.
Hug me, brotha.#ForTheH pic.twitter.com/0BC1IR05cj
— Houston Astros (@astros) October 21, 2021
The Astros won’t look much better starting Luis Garcia in this key matchup. Garcia last pitched in game 2 of this series where the Red Sox beat the Astros 9-5. Garcia allowed 5 runs in just 1 inning. This doesn’t give too much confidence that this game will be won due to pitching.
Therefore, it all comes down to the batting and the Astros are in red-hot form, while the Red Sox remain potential wildcards due to their streaky play. I think I have to go with the Red Sox as I think they will take the series to 7.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Boston Red Sox (-108)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
