Sep 6, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) bats during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Editorial by: Graydon Fox

Prizes:

1st Place: $25 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Amazon gift card

Top 5 Winners:

1. Bill Hamplet (400 points)

2. Travis Dixon (300 points)

3. Eric W. Dodson Jr. (300 points)

4. Angela Mullins (300 points)

5. Brent Mikael (300 points)

Overview:

On Sunday, June 3^rd, the (38-17) Boston Red Sox will be on the road to take on the (35-21) Houston Astros.

The Crowd:

“The Crowd” is projecting a final score of Red Sox 4.3 – Astros 4.2 with an over/under of 8.5.

Starting Pitchers:

BOS: Rick Porcello (7-2, 3.65) vs HOU: Charlie Morton (7-0, 2.26)

Batting Stats:

Runs per game: Red Sox 5.36 (2^nd) > Astros 5.00 (5^th)

Batting Average: Red Sox .267 (1^st) > Astros .258 (6^th)

On Base Percentage: Red Sox .331 (5^th) > Astros .329 (6^th)

Total Bases: Red Sox 903 (1^st) > Astros 804 (5^th)

Baserunning Stats:

Stolen Bases: Red Sox 37 (5^th) > Astros 28 (14^th)

Pitching Stats:

Team Earned Run Average: Astros 2.64 (1^st) > Red Sox 3.55 (8^th)

Batting Average Against: Astros .204 (1^st) > Red Sox .233 (8^th)

Walks/Hits Per Innings Pitched: Astros 1.01 (1^st) > Red Sox 1.21 (4^th)

Strikeouts: Astros 581 (1^st) > Red Sox 544 (2^nd)

Saves: Red Sox 20 (1^st) > Astros 12 (22^nd)

Fielding Stats:

Errors: Astros 16 (1^st) > Red Sox 27 (8^th)

Summary:

The Red Sox enter the game 2^nd in the league in runs per game (5.36) and 8^th in team earned run average (3.55).  Boston is (8-2) in their last ten games and (19-9) on the road this season.  The Red Sox have been one of the league’s most potent offensive teams and their decision to cut Hanley Ramirez caught many by surprise.  Mookie Betts (.359, 17 HR, 37 RBI) is off to an MVP caliber start to the season while J.D. Martinez (.323, 17 HR, 45 RBI) is proving to be the most impactful offseason addition to date.  Boston’s bullpen ranks 5^th in ERA (3.12) and they have committed the 8^th fewest errors (27).  The Red Sox will have their hands full against Charlie Morton (7-0, 2.26) who is enjoying quite the career renaissance.  Boston’s hitters are batting a combined .226 against Morton in 31 at-bats.  Morton has been exceptional at home this season (5-0, 1.85).

Houston ranks 5^th in runs per game (5.00) and 1^st in team ERA (2.64).  The Astros are (6-4) in their last ten games and they are (16-11) at home this season.  The Astros are led by their phenomenal pitching staff which leads the league in ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, and batting average against.  Houston has the best starting staff in the American Legaue and they are backed by a bullpen that ranks 4^th in ERA (3.02).  Houston has been tremendous defensively committing the fewest amount of errors in the league (16).  Jose Altuve (.332 AVG, .379 OBP, 29 RBI), following his MVP season, is one of the most consistently dominant players in MLB.  George Springer (.287, 11HR, 34 RBI) and Carlos Correa (.267, 8 HR, 36 RBI) are amongst the best young players in baseball.  The Astros have hit well against Red Sox starter Rick Porcello (7-2, 3.65) batting a combined .299 in 67 at-bats.

Bottom Line:

The Astros have a distinct advantage in this pitching match-up as Charlie Morton is throwing the ball as well as anyone in baseball.  Jose Altuve has ignited the Astros offense of late hitting .419 in his last seven games.  Houston has had success against Rick Porcello and their dominant bullpen should be able to hold off a late Red Sox comeback.  I expect a close, low scoring game, and I like Houston to win this one at home.

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