Houston Astros at Boston Red Sox 5/18/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Houston Astros complete a three-game series on the road Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox. Houston dropped to 23-13 following its 6-3 loss to Boston in the opening game of their series on Monday. Houston has lost two out of its last three but the Astros remain tied for first place in the American League West with the Los Angeles Angels, seven games ahead of both Seattle and Texas.

Michael Brantley is batting .281 to lead Houston and the designated hitter has a team-high 34 hits. Left fielder Yordan Alvarez is the leader in home runs with 11 and on-base percentage with .356. Third baseman Allen Bregman is the leader in RBIs with 22. On Wednesday, Houston will send Luis Garcia to the mound. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 2.94 ERA, 37 Ks and 9 BBs.

Boston improved to 14-21 following its three-run victory over Houston on Monday. Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run home run to help lead the Red Sox to the victory on Monday. Boston has won three out of the last four but the Red Sox are fourth in the American League East, 12 games behind the first-place New York Yankees and a distant 4 ½ games behind third-place Toronto.

Xander Bogaerts batting .346 to lead Boston and the shortstop has team highs in hits with 47 and on-base percentage at .403. Third baseman Rafael Devers is the leader in home runs with six and RBIs with 19. On Wednesday, the Boston Red Sox will send Nick Pivetta to the mound. The right-hander is 1-4 with a 5.08 ERA, 33 Ks and 14 BBs.