Astros Game Today: Astros vs Red Sox Lineup, Odds, Prediction, Pick, Pitcher, TV Channel for October 19

With Lance McCullers Jr. out, the Houston Astros‘ young hurlers aren’t getting it done in the first few innings. The Boston Red Sox are hot at the right time, as they took Game 3 on Monday night, 12-3.

Houston enters Game 4 with Zack Greinke coming off the rubber for his first major-league start since Sept. 19, while he hasn’t been stretched out to be a starter since. Cristian Javier will be available out of the bullpen as well, while the right-hander hasn’t worked more than three innings in an outing in over three months.

The Red Sox look to counter the Astros’ bullpen game with Nick Pivetta, who has a 3.12 ERA this postseason over 8.2 innings of work. The right-hander faced Houston once this season in June, where he tossed six innings, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks.

Pivetta also struck out nine in the process, while Houston’s offense hasn’t been correlating their regular season performances against Red Sox pitching to their postseason’s.

This could be a coincidence, but Boston manager Alex Cora started his left-hander on Monday and then his right-hander on Tuesday, when the Astros were looking at a bullpen game.

With Greinke an option, Martin Maldonado would be the viable catchers especially with an expected change of arms on Tuesday night. Houston wouldn’t have started Jason Castro against a left-handed starter on Monday and will probably not start him in a bullpen game with Greinke on the mound on Tuesday.

The offense hasn’t been the major issue, but if the starting pitching isn’t excelling with Maldonado behind the dish, then adding Castro’s bat would be beneficial. This is where the Red Sox pitching plan could have blocked this idea.

What Time is the Astros Game Today?

First pitch for Friday’s game is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. CT.

What Channel is the Astros Game on Today?

Today’s game will be broadcasted on Fox Sports 1.

Astros vs. Red Sox Odds Today

On the moneyline, the Astros are at +114 with the Red Sox at -124 by WynnBET.

The spread is set at +1.5 (-170) for the Astros and -1.5 (+150) for the Red Sox. If you’re looking to bet on total runs for the game (10.0), the under is set at -110 and the over is set at -110. For more MLB bets, check out WynnBET.

Astros Pitcher Today: Zack Greinke

It has been a month since Greinke last started against a major-league club, and while not stretched out to be a starter, there could be worries for how deep the right-hander can go. Javier is at disposal, but a bullpen game could be in the works.

Greinke faced Boston once this season, giving up four runs on seven hits and a walks through only three innings of work. The right-hander has been abysmal against righty hitters this year with opponents slashing .285/.323/.505 against him.

The top of the Red Sox order has a lefty/righty combination until the sixth-hole, so if Greinke can get through the bottom of the order (all right-handed), the Astros could be in good shape their first time through.

Astros Starting Lineup

Red Sox vs. Astros Prediction Today

The Astros have struggled in the postseason against starters they worked in the regular season, but the case is different for Game 4. The Red Sox have had Greinke’s number and the Astros haven’t had Pivetta’s.

Game 3 looked to be a deciding factor for how this series plays out, but backed behind a resurgent bullpen, Houston will even the series on Tuesday night.

Make your pick now on WynnBET

Astros vs. Red Sox Live Stream

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