Sunday Night Baseball Game Info
Time: 8:08 PM EST
Location: Fenway Park, Boston, MA
Weather: 60 degrees Fahrenheit, wind 14 mph ENE
TV: ESPN
Moneyline: Houston Astros (+105) Boston Red Sox (-125)
Spread: Houston Astros (+1.5) -200 Boston Red Sox (-1.5) +170
Total: 8.5 over (-115) under (-105)
Sides & Total
In a potential ALCS preview Houston looks to complete a rare sweep in Boston. Rick Porcello (4.20 ERA) looks to stop this losing streak for the Sox against Dallas Keuchel (3.51 ERA) in a battle of former Cy Young Award winners.
Look the Red Sox aren’t 97-46 because they get swept a lot. They’re a legit threat to break the single season win record. Porcello isn’t Pedro circa 1998 but not many are. A pitcher of his quality going at -125 at home seems like a no brainer to me. As good as Keuchel is (much better than record indicates) Fenway isn’t exactly the best park to showcase his talents.
8.5 is a tricky total here. I feel this goes over with both lineups showing their strength for the national TV audience but either pitcher here is capable of a gem. If you’re really looking to make a quick killing Boston -1.5 +170 seems like a better way to go than messing with the total.
Props
So as I write this I’m not seeing strike out totals available but either pitcher should go over 6.5 from my perspective. Total hits/runs/errors is at 27 and should probably go under.
I find the first inning props to be a fun play here Houston scores first is at -140 with Boston scoring first at +120. Road team is usually favorite in those wagers but -140 still seems a little steep. Live a little. Take the +120 if this tickles your fancy.
I’d rather play the either team scores in first inning prop here at -115 no score in first is at -105 but historically the first inning is the highest scoring inning. -115 is a bargain for first inning props. Knowing it’s the inning most likely to yield runs anytime you see it under -125 I suggest jumping on it.
Daily Fantasy Plays Sunday Night
Craig Kimbrel. There. Take him. A $3,200 Showdown pricetag is nothing for a closer who can easily give you 10-15 points with a save and a couple K’s. It frees you up to invest in multiple big bats and this game features plenty. Alex Bregman ($10,400) and Mookie Betts ($11,400) are two very solid plays here. But you need to gamble somewhere to afford both. Craig Kimbrel. I said it.
Final Notes
I think it’s Boston’s year. Although I prefer modern analytics JD Martinez is making a Triple Crown run and could very well win MVP despite spending a majority of at bats as a DH. I’m okay with this. In year 1 PP (post Papí) Boston lacked a clear power bat and the team struggled (team OPS+ was 92 which is slightly below average). This year the team OPS+ is at 111 and that is directly attributable to JD Martinez. I understand the argument that if you don’t play defense you don’t deserve the MVP but no other player in the AL has improved a lineup as much as he has this year. To me that’s value.
