Thursday MLB Odds, Lines, and Props – Red Sox vs Astros (Perez vs Odorizzi)
- The Houston Astros are -143 home favorites over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday at Minute Maid Park
- The Red Sox will start left-hander Martin Perez (3-2, 3.55 ERA) against Jake Odorizzi (0-2, 6.75)
- A breakdown of Red Sox-Astros and a prediction can be found below
The Houston Astros will look to sweep a four-game series when they host the Boston Red Sox at 2:10 p.m. ET Thursday at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros (31-24) made it three wins in a row against the Red Sox and four overall Wednesday night with a 2-1 victory. The Red Sox (32-23) have dropped three straight games following a three-game game winning streak.
Jake Odorizzi (0-2, 6.75 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Astros, who are favored against left-hander Martin Perez (3-2, 3.55).
Red Sox vs Astros Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Total at DraftKings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Red Sox | +120 | +1.5 (-167) | Over 9 (-121) |
| Houston Astros | -143 | -1.5 (+143) | Under 9 (+100) |
Odds as of June 3rd.
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Perez Pitching Well
No one in the Red Sox’s rotation is currently pitching better than Perez. He has won his past three starts and is 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA in his last six outings.
Another excellent start from Martín Pérez this afternoon.
6 IP
3 Hits Allowed
0 ER/R
5 Ks
4 BBsHe now has a 3.43 ERA through 8 starts. That’s ridiculous production out of your #5 starter.#RedSox | #DirtyWater| #MLBpic.twitter.com/lYi4MdkHBG
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) May 15, 2021
Perez beat the Miami Marlins last Friday at Fenway Park, going five innings and giving up two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and no walks. He has pitched at least five innings his last six times out and eight times in 10 starts overall this season.
However, Perez has gone six innings just three times this season and has not made it any further. He has registered just two quality starts.
Perez has pitched well the road, going 1-1 with a 2.91 ERA in four starts. He also handles the team laundry cart.
One of my favorite parts of the laundry cart ride celebration is how E-Rod and Martín Pérez were just so excited to bring the laundry cart inside the dugout! pic.twitter.com/MfPm41FQpV
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) April 28, 2021
He is 7-4 with a 2.70 ERA in 12 career starts against the Astros. At Minute Maid Park, he has a 1-3 record but a fine 2.97 ERA in five games.
Astros Career Stats vs Perez
| Player | AB | H | HR | RBI | K | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Altuve | 38 | 13 | 0 | 4 | 6 | .342 |
| Carlos Correa | 20 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 | .250 |
| Alex Bregman | 14 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .214 |
| Yordan Alvarez | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Yuli Gurriel | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .444 |
| Kyle Tucker | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Chas McCormick | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Myles Straw | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Garrett Stubbs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Astros third baseman Alex Bregman has reached base in 20 consecutive games. He is 21 for 77 (.273) with five doubles, one home run and 18 walks during the streak.
Alex Bregman with the RBI DOUBLE !!!!!!@astros score 3 in the 5th inning
Astros lead the Padres 5-0 on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/rGpsDsSbhE
— AT&T SportsNet SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) May 29, 2021
Right fielder Kyle Tucker is hitting .365 (31 for 85) in his last 22 games with seven doubles, one triple, six homers and 21 RBIs.
The Astros are averaging an MLB-high 5.29 runs a game. Their .265 batting average also tops the big leagues.
Odorizzi Looks to Build on Return
Odorizzi returned from a nearly five-week stint on the injured last Saturday and pitched well in a no-decision against the San Diego Padres at home. He allowed one run and three hits in 5.1 innings while striking out four, walking one and throwing 87 pitches.
Tommy Pham led off the game with a single.
The Padres have one walk since.
Jake Odorizzi has retired 14 straight.— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) May 29, 2021
Odorizzi strained the pronator muscle in his right arm during his third start of the season and landed on the IL.
Because he signed as a free agent after spring training had already started, Odorizzi got a late jump on the season. He did not make his Astros’ debut until April 13 and pitched a total of eight innings in three starts before getting hurt.
.@JakeOdorizzi: “I’m sure a lot of people in Houston don’t really care for me right now. I sucked before I got hurt and then I got hurt. Not exactly the intro I was looking to make. Thankfully I have the rest of this year and some years to come to put myself back in good graces.” pic.twitter.com/SJ2U6o11RH
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) May 28, 2021
In 18 career starts against the Red Sox, Odorizzi has a 4-6 record and 4.70 ERA. He is 1-2 with a 4.97 ERA in six turns at Minute Maid Park.
Red Sox Career Stats vs Odorizzi
| Player | AB | H | HR | RBI | K | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kike Hernandez | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Alex Verdugo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| J.D. Martinez | 12 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .417 |
| Xavier Bogaerts | 32 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 | .313 |
| Rafael Devers | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .400 |
| Hunter Renfroe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Danny Santana | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .167 |
| Kevin Plawecki | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Marwin Gonzalez | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .143 |
The Red Sox have been held to just four runs in three games by the Astros. Boston has also scored three runs or less in six of its last eight games.
Astros Win Tight One
On Wednesday night, Framber Valdez pitched seven strong innings for the win. He yielded one run and five hits while striking out 10. Ryan Pressly notched his eighth save.
Struck out ten over seven innings? Filthy.#CarryTheFreight x #ForTheH pic.twitter.com/LgMz9NHV1g
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 3, 2021
Kyle Tucker had two hits for the Astros. Carlos Correa doubled and Yuli Gurriel drove in a run.
Nick Pivetta lost despite allowing just two runs and three hits in six innings. He struck out a season-high nine for the second straight game.
First Time Since 2015?
The Astros will attempt to pull off their first sweep of the Red Sox since taking a three-game series at Minute Maid Park in 2015.
Houston set a franchise record Wednesday night when their starting pitcher allowed zero or one run for a seventh consecutive game.
Nevertheless, it is difficult to sweep a four-game set, especially against a quality team like the Red Sox. Look for Perez to help Boston salvage one game in Houston.
The Pick: Red Sox (+120)
John Perrotto has been covering and writing about sports for various outlets for over 40 years. His work has appeared in the likes of USA TODAY, ESPN.com, SI.com, Forbes.com, The Associated Press, Baseball Digest, and more. John is based out of Beaver Falls, PA.
