Red Sox at Astros 5/31/18 - MLB Picks & Predictions

On Thursday, the Boston Red Sox open a four-game series on the road against the Houston Astros.

Boston won its second straight game on Tuesday defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 8-3 and leads the American League East by two games over the second place New York Yankees. Sandy Leon hit two doubles and a home run to lead the Boston offense, while Xander Bogaerts homered and Rick Porcello held the Blue Jays to three hits through six innings.

Houston lost on Tuesday to the Yankees 6-5. The Astros bullpen gave up a run scoring single in the 10th innings as the Astros squandered a late lead. Mookie Betts is questionable for Boston. Mookie Betts leads the Red Sox with a .359 batting average and team highs in hits with 66 and home runs with 17. J.D. Martinez leads the team in RBIs with 45. Boston has a team batting average of .267 while opposing hitters are averaging .233 at the plate against Red Sox pitching. On Thursday, the Red Sox will send Drew Pomeranz to the mound. The left-hander this season is 1-2 with an ERA of 6.75, 31 Ks and 19 BBs.

Jose Altuve leads the Astros with a .332 batting average and team high 76 hits. George Springer has a team high 11 home runs and Carlos Correa a team high 36 RBIs. Houston has a team batting averaging of .258 while opposing hitters are averaging .204 at the plate against Astros pitching. Houston on Thursday will send Lance McCullers Jr. to the mound. The right-hander this season is 6-3 with an ERA of 3.98, 68 Ks and 25 BBs.