<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/red-sox-news-kyle-schwarber-reveals-level-of-interest-in-returning-to-boston.jpg"></figure><h1>Kyle Schwarber reveals level of interest in returning to the Red Sox</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-23T12:39:18-07:00">October 23rd, 12:39pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-23T12:40:48-07:00">October 23rd, 12:40pm</time><address><a>Steve Zavala</a>Steve is a freelance writer covering the world of sports for ClutchPoints.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Red Sox are now looking ahead to the upcoming offseason following their elimination in the 2021 ALCS against the Houston Astros.</p><p>Among the offseason dilemmas that the Red Sox will face include the uncertain future of outfielder Kyle Schwarber. Boston acquired him from the Washington Nationals ahead of the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline. He has an $11.5 million mutual option for the 2022 season, although it is not yet known on the level of interest that Boston’s front office has in possibly bringing him back on this contract deal.</p><p>As one would expect, Schwarber does not yet have a definitive answer on just what he plans to do come the start of free agency. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQK1WzEtyow" rel="noopener">But as he touched on following Boston’s loss to Houston in Game 6 of the ALCS</a>, he would entertain the idea of returning to the Red Sox next season.</p><blockquote>“I wish I could tell everyone I’m going to,” Schwarber said.“This is definitely a clubhouse that I could see myself wanting to stay in. These guys are amazing. This is a World Series clubhouse. I would love the… hopefully, see if that opportunity comes back.”</blockquote><p>Schwarber shined during his half-season <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox" rel="noopener">run</a> with the Red Sox this year. While he did not continue to record home runs at the astounding rate that he posted while with the Nationals, he instead centered his play on simply reaching base. He posted a .435 OBP and notched 33 walks in 41 regular-season games with Boston, which was up from his .340 OBP and 31 walks posted in 72 such games with Washington.</p><p>The veteran outfield had a formidable ALDS showing against the Tampa Bay Rays with a .313 batting average, although he faced dire struggles in the ALCS clash with the Houston Astros due to the .120 batting average posted.</p><p>Overall, Schwarber much credited his teammates for helping him integrate into the team.</p><blockquote>“I just want to say thank you to the whole group,” Schwarber said.“These guys made it so easy on me just to be able to come in and, me being hurt, they could all look at me sideways and be like ‘Why we trade for a guy that’s hurt?’”</blockquote><p>The Red Sox may be in for one hectic offseason later this year.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kyle Schwarber reveals level of interest in returning to the Red Sox

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Red-Sox-Astros-Prediction-Red-Sox-Astros-Pick-Red-Sox-Astros-Odds-MLB-Odds.jpg"></figure><h1>Red Sox vs. Astros ALCS Game 6 prediction, odds, pick and more</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-22T06:06:31-07:00">October 22nd, 6:06am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-22T06:06:31-07:00">October 22nd, 6:06am</time><address><a>Zach Hood</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros will continue the ALCS Friday night with the Astros taking a 3-2 series lead on Wednesday. It’s time to continue our <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/betting/">MLB odds series</a> and make a Red Sox-Astros prediction and pick.</p><p>The Red Sox and Astros will play Game 6 of the ALCS Friday evening, with the Astros having the ability to clinch a trip to the World Series with a win. Nathan Eovaldi will start for Boston and face Luis Garcia, who has struggled mightily for Houston this postseason. In two postseason starts, Garcia has allowed 10 runs in 3.2 innings. The Red Sox will hope that trend continues on Friday night as they look to force a Game 7 down three games to two.</p><p>Here’s how the <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/mlb" rel="noopener">bookmakers</a> have set the Red Sox-Astros odds for Sunday’s game.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Red Sox vs. Astros ALCS Game 6 prediction, odds, pick and more

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Red-Sox-Nathan-Eovaldi-Red-Sox-Astros-Astros-ALCS-Game-4.jpeg"></figure><h1>Red Sox ace Nathan Eovaldi responds to missed strike three call vs. Astros in key moment</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-20T11:05:06-07:00">October 20th, 11:05am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-20T11:05:06-07:00">October 20th, 11:05am</time><address><a>Mitchell Widmeier</a>Mitch is a play-by-play broadcaster and writer in Minneapolis who enjoys every aspect of sports, whether it's announcing, writing, or watching. He started his career as Sports Director of a two-cluster station in Minnesota where he had his own sports talk show. He has since branched out into all aspects of sports media.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox were tied 2-2 in the top of the 9th inning in Game 4 of the ALCS on Tuesday night. Nathan Eovaldi was pitching in relief for the Red Sox and had recorded two outs while yielding two base runners when Jason Castro stepped into the box.</p><p>Facing a two-strike count, Eovaldi appeared to dot the corner perfectly on a breaking ball to end the top half of the inning. Instead, umpire Laz Diaz ruled it a ball and the inning continued. Instead of 2-2 going to the bottom of the 9th, the Astros hung a seven spot up on the scoreboard and won 9-2.</p><p><a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32434976/nathan-eovaldi-boston-red-sox-take-issue-pivotal-ball-strike-call-loss-houston-astros">Per ESPN</a>, Eovaldi responded to the apparent missed call that went against the Red Sox.</p><blockquote>“I thought it was a strike, but again, I’m in the moment. I’m trying to make my pitches,” Eovaldi said after the game. “I’m attacking the zone.”</blockquote><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/red-sox-news-alex-cora-brutally-honest-take-on-ninth-inning-collapse-against-astros-in-alcs/">Red Sox manager Alex Cora</a> was forgiving for Diaz and the call.</p><blockquote>“I’m not going to get thrown out of this game, but we thought that pitch was a strike and he disagreed with us, but that’s a tough job,” Cora said. “I don’t think — yeah, it changes — if it’s a strike, it changes the whole thing, right, but I think we had chances early on.”“I know Laz since our days in Miami, you know? He used to cover our games when I played at the University of Miami. Every Friday, he was the man in those games, so it’s a hard job. I understand that. It’s a hard job,” Cora said.</blockquote><p>Overall, it was a tough night for Diaz.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Home-plate umpire Laz Diaz has missed 21 ball-strike calls tonight, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@ESPNStatsInfo</a>. That is the most of any umpire this postseason. The green dot in the upper RH corner is the Eovaldi curveball that would've ended top of the ninth with the score 2-2.</p><p>It is now 9-2. <a href="https://t.co/VzdyL4lth3" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/VzdyL4lth3</a></p><p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1450672423733506052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">October 20, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>The Red Sox will look to bounce back in Game 5 as the Astros have now tied the series up at 2-2.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Red Sox ace Nathan Eovaldi responds to missed strike three call vs. Astros in key moment

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Alex-Cora-Xander-Bogaerts-Carlos-Correa-Red-Sox-Astros.jpg"></figure><h1>Red Sox manager Alex Cora’s brutally honest take on ninth-inning collapse against Astros in ALCS</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-20T07:48:39-07:00">October 20th, 7:48am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-20T07:49:25-07:00">October 20th, 7:49am</time><address><a>Quinn Allen</a>Quinn Allen is a freelance sports journalist and full-time editor for ClutchPoints. He specializes mainly in soccer, basketball, and baseball. When Quinn isn't producing content for CP, he's writing predictions across the European soccer and NBA world for bettors at Sports Betting Dime, one of the fastest-growing sports betting sites in North America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Red Sox were on the verge of going up 3-1 in the ALCS against the Houston Astros on Tuesday night before Jose Altuve tied the game at two with a solo bomb in the top of the eighth. The ninth inning ultimately proved to be the difference-maker though, with Houston scoring seven runs with two outs. Red Sox manager Alex Cora spoke out on his team’s collapse and didn’t exactly sound too worried about how things turned out. <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-lose-alcs-game-4-2021">Via MLB.com</a>:</p><blockquote>“There’s not much to say in that clubhouse,” said Cora. “We know where we’re at. They have a good team. We were one pitch away from ending that [ninth] inning and it didn’t happen, and then they scored seven. Just like every day, you win, you turn the page. You lose, you turn the page and be ready.”</blockquote><p>Cora changed things up and actually brought in Nathan Eovaldi out of the pen for the Red Sox in the ninth to try and shut down the Astros. Unfortunately, the hard-throwing righty was tagged with four runs in just 0.2 innings of work before Martin Perez also came in and allowed another three runs. Nevertheless, Eovaldi is still on track to start Game 6.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox/roster">The Red Sox</a> offense finally slowed down on Tuesday though, registering just five hits. It was only a matter of time until it happened but hopefully, they can bounce back at Fenway on Wednesday before heading back to Houston for what will be a series-clincher for one of these teams.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Red Sox manager Alex Cora’s brutally honest take on ninth-inning collapse against Astros in ALCS

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Astros-Red-Sox-ALCS-Prediction-Astros-Red-Sox-Pick-Astros-Red-Sox-Odds.jpg"></figure><h1>MLB Odds: Astros vs. Red Sox ALCS Game 4 prediction, odds, pick and more</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-19T13:05:02-07:00">October 19th, 1:05pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-19T13:05:02-07:00">October 19th, 1:05pm</time><address><a>Ezra Bernstein</a>Ezra lives in Los Angeles, California. He is an avid Rams, Lakers, and Dodgers fan. Ezra currently attends Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in California.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox will play Game 4 of the ALCS Tuesday. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make an Astros-Red Sox prediction and pick.</p><p>The importance of this game is obvious. A win here essentially seals the series for Boston, as a 3-1 lead is a roadblock that is nearly impossible to overcome. A Houston victory means that the Astros are guaranteed to return to their home field in this series, an advantage that can’t be understated. The Red Sox ended the season series against Houston with a score of 3-6, but those games are meaningless now. This series is the only one that matters, so expect both teams to play like it.</p><p>Here’s how the <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/mlb">bookmakers</a> have set the odds for Tuesday’s game.</p><h2><b>MLB Odds: Astros-Red Sox Odds</b></h2><p><i><b>*Watch MLB games LIVE with <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/mlb/?irad=377812&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener">fuboTV (click for free trial)</a>*</b></i></p><p>Houston Astros ML (+110)</p><p>Boston Red Sox ML (-130)</p><p>Over 10 runs (-110)</p><p>Under 10 runs (-110)</p><h2>Why the Astros Can Win</h2><p>Houston came into the postseason with an argument for being the best team in baseball, in large part due to their pitching. The Astros will maintain that pitching advantage in this game when they send out starting pitcher Zack Greinke. While it’s true that Greinke didn’t have a great end to the regular season, there’s still reason to believe that he can put together a nice game in this one. The righty has earned himself some respectable postseason numbers, putting up a 4.18 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP throughout his playoff career. Greinke also only allows a 6.5% barrel percentage, a shockingly low number. The Red Sox barrel the ball up at an extremely high rate as a team, so it’s good to see Greinke with that advantage.</p><p>Houston’s deadly offense has a major advantage over opposing starter Nick Pivetta. Pivetta was mediocre at best over the course of the season, but he ended on a massive cold streak. Over his last seven starts, the righty has posted a 4.97 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. Pivetta is simply overmatched here, and it’s easy to see the Astros delivering a beating when he is on the mound.</p><h2>Why the Red Sox Can Win</h2><p>Luckily for Boston, Greinke had a similar end to the season as Pivetta. Over his last seven contests, the former ace allowed an ERA of 6.03 and a WHIP of 1.19. The Red Sox have been on an incredible hot streak, batting .317 as a team over the month of October.  A scorching hot offense and an ice cold pitcher usually combine for quite a few runs, which could be exactly what happens when Greinke takes the hill in Fenway Park Tuesday.</p><p>Home field advantage will certainly come into play in this game. The Red Sox have been absolutely deadly at home this postseason earning a .304 batting average to go along with a .370 OBP and a .547 slugging percentage. All of these numbers are elite, and they should stay that way against Greinke, a pitcher who the Red Sox are comfortable facing. The last time Boston played against Greinke, they shelled him for four runs over three innings and handed him a loss.</p><h2>Final Astros-Red Sox Prediction &amp; Pick</h2><p>The over is the obvious pick here. Two questionable pitchers are taking the mound, and both offenses have the potential to explode at any moment. Lock in the over with a lot of confidence in this one.</p><p><b>FINAL ASTROS-RED SOX PREDICTION &amp; PICK: Over 10 runs (-110)</b></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB Odds: Astros vs. Red Sox ALCS Game 4 prediction, odds, pick and more

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Alex-Rodriguez-Jennifer-Lopez-J-Lo-Ben-Affleck-Red-Sox.jpg"></figure><h1>Alex Rodriguez trolled by Red Sox fans with J Lo, Ben Affleck chants during ALCS</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-19T09:26:19-07:00">October 19th, 9:26am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-19T09:28:08-07:00">October 19th, 9:28am</time><address><a>Quinn Allen</a>Quinn Allen is a freelance sports journalist and full-time editor for ClutchPoints. He specializes mainly in soccer, basketball, and baseball. When Quinn isn't producing content for CP, he's writing predictions across the European soccer and NBA world for bettors at Sports Betting Dime, one of the fastest-growing sports betting sites in North America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Current MLB Analyst Alex Rodriguez was just trying to discuss some baseball prior to Game 3 of the ALCS between the Red Sox and Astros on Monday but instead, Boston fans decided to mock him <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/timberwolves-news-alex-rodriguez-loses-jennifer-lopez-to-ben-affleck-immediately-hits-ownership-snag/">after his break-up with J Lo in April.</a></p><p>Of course, she went back to her ex in Ben Affleck, who happens to be a huge Red Sox supporter. Considering A-Rod played for the hated New York Yankees, the Beantown faithful didn’t hold back on mocking Alex Rodriguez after getting dumped. <a href="https://twitter.com/_christelmay/status/1450282511007838217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1450282511007838217%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fclutchpoints.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost-new.php">Just take a look at this savagery</a>:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="in">JLO JLO JLO JLO JLO 😂😂😂😂😂❤ <a href="https://t.co/Unm3Q5oj9t" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/Unm3Q5oj9t</a></p><p>— a💛 (@jennyxblock) <a href="https://twitter.com/jennyxblock/status/1450246772757041154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">October 18, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="und">🤣🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/dVdCV8s9DA" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/dVdCV8s9DA</a></p><p>— christelmay (@_christelmay) <a href="https://twitter.com/_christelmay/status/1450282511007838217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">October 19, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>“What’s your favorite Ben Affleck movie?” Oh my god. Just absolutely no filter. Yikes!</p><p>I’m sure Alex Rodriguez didn’t really care that much or even get bothered by it, but still, pretty savage. I’m sure he’s still not completely over the fact that Lopez left him, but I mean, he’s doing pretty well for himself. A-Rod is not only one of the leading faces of MLB on Fox, but he also just became a co-owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves.</p><p>Money doesn’t buy happiness, but Rodriguez shouldn’t feel too hard done by. As for Affleck, there was no sight of him at Fenway. The Red Sox still cruised to a massive 12-3 win, though.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Alex Rodriguez trolled by Red Sox fans with J Lo, Ben Affleck chants during ALCS

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Astros-Red-Sox-Prediction-Astros-Red-Sox-Pick-Astros-Red-Sox-Odds-.jpg"></figure><h1>MLB Odds: Astros vs. Red Sox ALCS Game 3 prediction, odds, pick and more</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-18T12:30:58-07:00">October 18th, 12:30pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-18T12:30:58-07:00">October 18th, 12:30pm</time><address><a>Zach Hood</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox will continue the ALCS Monday night with the series tied 1-1 as it goes back to Boston. It’s time to continue our <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/betting/">MLB odds series</a> and make a Red Sox-Astros prediction and pick.</p><p>The Astros and Red Sox split the first two games of the series in Houston, and tonight they will battle for control of the ALCS from Fenway Park. J.D. Martinez and Enrique Hernandez homered in Boston’s Game 2 win over the Astros, as the Red Sox offense generated nine runs off of Houston pitching on Saturday. Jose Urquidy will take the bump for the Astros on Monday, and he will face Eduardo Rodriguez, who will start on the mound for the Red Sox.</p><p>Here’s how the <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/mlb" rel="noopener">bookmakers</a> have set the Astros Red Sox odds for Sunday’s game.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB Odds: Astros vs. Red Sox ALCS Game 3 prediction, odds, pick and more

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Nathan-Eovaldi-Red-Sox-ALCS-Astros.jpg"></figure><h1>Red Sox SP Nathan Eovaldi’s revelation after Game 2 win vs. Astros could impact rest of ALCS</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-16T19:01:03-07:00">October 16th, 7:01pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-16T19:02:04-07:00">October 16th, 7:02pm</time><address><a>Johnny Recks</a>Johnny Recks has been a writer for ClutchPoints since 2020, covering NFL, NBA, NHL, WWE, and more.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Red Sox are still undefeated in the postseason in games where Nathan Eovaldi has made an appearance. The latest was in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/red-sox-news-the-1-reason-why-alcs-game-1-loss-to-the-astros-is-good-for-boston-sort-of/">Game 2</a> of the 2021 American League Championship Series in which Eovaldi didn’t really look as good as he was in his past couple of starts in the playoffs.</p><p>Eovaldi went 5.1 innings long in Game 2, which was par for the course for him, and surrendered three earned runs on five hits. He fanned three hitters and issued a free pass. Fortunately for the Red Sox’s right-hander, Enrique Hernandez and Boston’s offense gave him ample run support to work with. Following the game, Eovaldi spoke with reporters and revealed an issue he had to deal with while he was on the mound that likely had impacted the way he tossed the ball.</p><p>Per <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1449544673047900161">John Morosi of the MLB Network</a>:</p><blockquote>Eovaldi said he felt a “grab” in his back when he extended his stride on one pitch. He said it’s something he’s experienced before and hopes to be available out of the bullpen as soon as Game 3.</blockquote><p>Should Eovaldi’s shoulder flares up, don’t expect the Red Sox to use him in Game 3 as a reliever, though it doesn’t seem it’s serious enough to be a long-term problem. It’s still something worth keeping a close eye on, especially since the Astros require the best out of Boston’s pitching staff.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Red Sox SP Nathan Eovaldi’s revelation after Game 2 win vs. Astros could impact rest of ALCS

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Red-Sox-Astros-ALCS.jpg"></figure><h1>The 1 reason why ALCS Game 1 loss to the Astros is good for the Red Sox (sort of)</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-16T09:47:43-07:00">October 16th, 9:47am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-16T09:49:34-07:00">October 16th, 9:49am</time><address><a>Johnny Recks</a>Johnny Recks has been a writer for ClutchPoints since 2020, covering NFL, NBA, NHL, WWE, and more.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Red Sox came close to snatching a win in Game 1 of the American League Series Championship, but the Houston Astros’ offense woke up in the later innings to win the ALCS opener, 5-4. Of course, the Red Sox would have preferred to win Game 1, but the loss also doesn’t mean the end of the road for Boston. After all, the Red Sox seem to have a preternatural way of digging themselves out of a 1-0 ALCS deficit.</p><p>Via <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2021/10/red-sox-notebook-dusty-baker-thinks-heavy-bullpen-use-favors-boston-they-got-a-little-bit-of-an-advantage.html">Matt Vautour of MassLive</a>:</p><blockquote>Historically, the Red Sox have actually been better when they lose Game 1 of the ALCS — As strange as it sounds if past results are an indication the Red Sox are more likely to have postseason success after losing Game 1 of the ALCS.In the four years when they won the World Series, Boston lost Game 1 of the ALCS in 2004 (Yankees), 2013 (Tigers) and 2018 (Astros) and beat the Indians in 2007.</blockquote><p>That’s a series of comforting facts for Boston fans, who are looking forward to their team leveling things up in Game 2 Saturday night. Nathan Eovaldi is scheduled to start for Boston, and he’ll enter <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb-odds-red-sox-vs-astros-alcs-game-2-prediction-odds-pick-and-more/">Game 2</a> off two fantastic postseason starts. Eovaldi has allowed three earned runs on seven hits in 10.1 innings in the postseason. The Red Sox are also 7-1 in Eovaldi’s last eight game appearances, dating back to the start of September.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

The 1 reason why ALCS Game 1 loss to the Astros is good for the Red Sox (sort of)

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/MLB-Betting-MLB-Odds-MLB-Predictions-Red-Sox-Astros.jpg"></figure><h1>MLB odds: Red Sox vs. Astros ALCS Game 2 prediction, odds, pick, and more</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-16T07:44:28-07:00">October 16th, 7:44am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-16T07:49:39-07:00">October 16th, 7:49am</time><address><a>Johnny Recks</a>Johnny Recks has been a writer for ClutchPoints since 2020, covering NFL, NBA, NHL, WWE, and more.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros are now 4-1 in the 2021 MLB postseason after taking care of business in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox to the tune of a 5-4 score. The Astros will look to stretch their series lead Saturday night, with momentum on their side. Boston has been in this situation before. The Red Sox lost Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays before winning the next three to advance to the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/red-sox-vs-astros-previewing-the-alcs-matchup/">ALCS</a>. Will they tie the series up in Game 2? With that said, it’s now time to read our Red Sox-Astros prediction and preview for the second chapter of this intriguing series<i>.</i></p><p>Here’s how the <a href="https://mybookie.ag/sportsbook/baseball/">bookmakers</a> have set the lines for this Red Sox vs. Astros ALCS Game 2 matchup.</p><h2><b>MLB Odds: </b><b>Red Sox-Astros</b><b> Odds</b></h2><p>Boston Red Sox +1.5 (-170)</p><p>Houston Astros -1.5 (+145)</p><p>Over  8.5 runs (-120)</p><p>Under  8.5 runs (+100)</p><p><b><i>*Watch </i><i>MLB </i><i>games LIVE with </i><a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/mlb/?irad=377812&amp;irmp=492408"><i>fuboTV (click for free trial)</i></a><i>*</i></b></p><h2><b>Why the </b><b>Red Sox </b><b>Could Cover</b></h2><p>Getting starting duties for the Red Sox in Game 2 of the ALCS will be Nathan Eovaldi, who’s been pretty solid in the postseason. Eovaldi has proven to be dependable for Boston, especially after two starts in this postseason, thus far. The 31-year-old righty was last seen on the mound taming the Tampa Bay Rays in the NLDS. Prior to that, Eovaldi played a big role in shutting the door on the New York Yankees in the Wild Card round. So far in the postseason, Eovaldi has allowed just three runs on seven hits and fanned 16 hitters in 10.1 innings.  </p><p>Behind Eovaldi will be the Red Sox’s offense that’s being driven by the likes of Rafael Devers and Kiké Hernández. Devers is slashing .320/.414/.560 in the postseason, while Hernandez, who went 4-for-5 with two homers in Game 1 of the ALCS, is hitting .500/.500/1.071. After scoring three runs on six hits in just 2.2 innings against Houston southpaw starter Framber Valdez in Game 1, the Red Sox will walk into Game 2 with a 6-0 record in their last six games against teams that started a right-hander.</p><h2><b>Why the </b><b>Astros </b><b>Could Cover</b></h2><p>Eovaldi’s leash as a starter is usually short, relatively speaking. Over his last six appearances, he’s pitched for at least six innings just once. And if his trend of early exits continues in Game 2 of this series, Boston will have to reach for its bullpen early and face Houston’s armada of hitters, who are among the most dangerous in the majors when it comes to scoring in the later innings. In fact, the Astros are inside the top 10 in the majors in terms of runs per game in the <a href="https://www.teamrankings.com/mlb/stat/6th-inning-runs-per-game">sixth</a>, eighth, and ninth innings. Houston’s robust offense in the later innings was on full display in Game 1 when the Astros scored four runs from the sixth to the eighth inning. Those don’t bode well for Boston’s relievers who have a collective <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&amp;stats=rel&amp;lg=all&amp;qual=0&amp;type=c,4,5,11,7,8,13,-1,36,37,40,43,44,48,51,-1,240,-1,6,332,45,62,-1,59,123&amp;season=2021&amp;month=9&amp;season1=2021&amp;ind=0&amp;team=0,ts&amp;rost=0&amp;age=0&amp;filter=&amp;players=0&amp;startdate=2021-01-01&amp;enddate=2021-12-31&amp;sort=18,a">3.92 ERA and 4.33 FIP</a> since September, 15th and 21st in the majors, respectively.</p><p>Looking to expose Boston’s pitching are Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman, who seem to have the number of Eovaldi. Altuve has a .473 wOBA in 24 plate appearances against Eovaldi, while Bregman has a.729 wOBA in 11 PA opposite the Red Sox’s pitcher. Luis Garcia expects Houston’s offense to back him up, as he takes the mound Saturday night. He faced the Red Sox once in the regular season, surrendering just an earned run on five hits while striking out six hitters in seven innings of a 5-1 home win last June.</p><h2><b>Final </b><b>Red Sox-Astros</b><b> Prediction &amp; Pick</b></h2><p>Eovaldi has been lights out in the playoffs for the Red Sox, but so is the Astros’ offense. The Astros have scored at least six runs in four of five games in this postseason. Boston has the better starting pitcher in this matchup, but it’s Houston’s offense that will shine the most in Game 2.</p><p><b>Final Red Sox-Astros Pick: </b>Houston Astros -1.5 (+145)</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB odds: Red Sox vs. Astros ALCS Game 2 prediction, odds, pick, and more

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kike-Hernandez-Red-Sox.jpg"></figure><h1>Red Sox slugger Kike Hernandez makes MLB history in epic ALCS Game 1 vs. Astros</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-16T07:34:46-07:00">October 16th, 7:34am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-16T07:35:38-07:00">October 16th, 7:35am</time><address><a>Quinn Allen</a>Quinn Allen is a freelance sports journalist and full-time editor for ClutchPoints. He specializes mainly in soccer, basketball, and baseball. When Quinn isn't producing content for CP, he's writing predictions across the European soccer and NBA world for bettors at Sports Betting Dime, one of the fastest-growing sports betting sites in North America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Boston Red Sox star Kike Hernandez is truly having a phenomenal postseason. He lit up the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS and didn’t slow down on Friday <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/2021-mlb-playoffs-3-bold-predictions-for-red-sox-vs-astros-in-alcs/">against the Astros in the ALCS</a>, going 4 for 5 with two homers in a heartbreaking 5-4 loss. Nevertheless, Hernandez made history, doing something that no player has ever pulled off, <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1449182050813202436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1449182050813202436%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fclutchpoints.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D1528180action%3Dedit">via ESPN Stats And Info</a>:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kiké Hernández is now 11-18 (.611) with 3 HR and 7 RBI in his last 4 postseason games. </p><p>No player in MLB history has ever had that many hits, HR and RBI in a 4-game span in the postseason. <a href="https://t.co/D33J7l64Xl" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/D33J7l64Xl</a></p><p>— ESPN Stats &amp; Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1449182050813202436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">October 16, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>To put it into perspective, Hernandez went 1 for 4 in Game 5 of the Division Series and drove in the game-tying run for the Red Sox with a walk-off sacrifice fly. The real damage was done on Friday, though. He absolutely terrorized Houston, clubbing two absolute moonshots and finished just a triple shy of the cycle. Hernandez hit a solo bomb in the top of the ninth to cut the deficit to one run, but it was too little too late. He also made a crucial diving grab early in the game.</p><p>There’s simply no player left in the postseason who is seeing the ball as the Red Sox outfielder is right now. It hasn’t mattered what pitchers throw him, whether it’s a fastball or a breaking ball. Hernandez is squaring everything up.</p><p>Every single October, there is a player who shines bright and makes a name for themselves on the big stage. Last year, it was Randy Arozarena. This time around, it’s Kike Hernandez. Hopefully, he can keep it up and the Red Sox can follow his lead. Keep doing your thing, Kike.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Red Sox slugger Kike Hernandez makes MLB history in epic ALCS Game 1 vs. Astros

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image_2021-10-16_141608.png"></figure><h1>Carlos Correa sounds off after Astros take Game 1 over Red Sox</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-15T23:18:25-07:00">October 15th, 11:18pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-15T23:18:25-07:00">October 15th, 11:18pm</time><address><a href="https://medium.com/@rpsalao">R.P. Salao</a>Check out my best stuff on Medium - medium.com/@rpsalao.I also post quality NBA YouTube content - tinyurl.com/SalaoYouTube.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Carlos Correa has been here before. The Houston Astros shortstop has already played in almost 70 postseason games despite being just 27 years old. The big-time moments no longer faze him, but <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/astros-news-carlos-correa-hype-message-ahead-of-alds-game-3-vs-white-sox/">rather he anticipates them.</a></p><p>The Astros star proved exactly that in Game 1 of the ALCS, coming up with three hits, including the go-ahead home run that put Houston up for good in the bottom of the seventh inning. Carlos knew it was his time to shine, but checked his watch for good measure.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">CORREA TIME. <a href="https://t.co/LB12AwUNaR" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/LB12AwUNaR</a></p><p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1449216347360083968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">October 16, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1449238865256988682">Via</a> Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle:</p><blockquote>“When the playoffs start, (my teammates) always tell me ‘It’s your time now,'” said the Astros slugger. “They told me to hit the watch when I hit the homer.”</blockquote><p>Correa also made sure to give credit to the pitching staff, with the Houston bullpen keeping the Red Sox at bay, save for a ninth-inning solo shot from Kike Hernandez that didn’t impact the final result.</p><blockquote>“I love our bullpen,” Correa said. “I have a lot of confidence. It’s about mixing and matching and having the right pockets for the guys. We have enough guys to get the job done and I truly believe our bullpen was outstanding today.”</blockquote><p>Jose Altuve, who launched a two-run blast himself that tied the game, voiced his appreciation for his Astros co-star.</p><blockquote>“He is amazing,” said second baseman Jose Altuve, who struck a two-run shot in the sixth to tie the game. “He likes this kind of game. He wants to go out there and hit big homers. It seems like he expects to go out there and do it. So, if you’re expecting something, eventually you’re going to make it happen. That’s him.”</blockquote><p>Astros fans can only hope Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve can keep this momentum going as they go right back at it for Game 2.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Carlos Correa sounds off after Astros take Game 1 over Red Sox

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Red-Sox-Astros-Red-Sox-Astros-ALCS-Red-Sox-Astros-preview.jpeg"></figure><h1>Red Sox vs. Astros: Previewing the ALCS matchup</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-15T12:49:55-07:00">October 15th, 12:49pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-15T12:49:55-07:00">October 15th, 12:49pm</time><address><a>Steve DiMatteo</a>Steve DiMatteo has covered baseball for the Associated Press, MLB.com, Sports on Earth, and a variety of other publications, and currently hosts the California Penal League Podcast, which can be found on &lt;a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-california-penal-league/id1544819281"&gt;Apple Podcasts&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4IzpoxSYqUECyRpr5Bq6i4?si=lBZC_5QyTkyNiVEVpB7zZQ&amp;dl_branch=1"&gt;Spotify&lt;/a&gt;, and wherever else you get your podcasts. You can also &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/steve_dimatteo"&gt;follow him on Twitter here&lt;/a&gt;.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros will once again meet in the American League Championship Series, a rematch of their 2018 series in which the Red Sox defeated Houston 4-1 and would ultimately win the World Series.</p><p>This is the fifth-straight ALCS trip for the Astros, who are no doubt on a revenge tour to prove their legitimate dominance following their sign-stealing scandal of the past few years. Even with that cloud continuing to hang over the franchise to some degree, there’s no denying the talent on Houston’s roster; led by second baseman Jose Altuve.</p><p>No matter where you fall on the Astros’ legacy, it’s pretty incredible to consider Altuve is now tied for the fourth-most postseason home runs in MLB history with 19. This team has considerable longevity at this point, and baseball fans everywhere will just have to come to grips with that.</p><p>Though they have essentially escaped any public scorn, the Red Sox are also known cheaters from the same time period. Red Sox manager Alex Cora was the Astros bench coach in 2017 and brought their sign-stealing tactics to Boston in 2018, which included using the replay room’s live video feed to relay signs to the hitters. The Red Sox also went so far as to relay the stolen signs to an Apple Watch in the dugout, whereas the Astros used the infamous trash cans.</p><p>The Red Sox scandal resulted in a firing and year-long suspension for Cora – along with plenty of fallout on the Houston side. He was ultimately brought back to the organization after Boston’s last-place finish in the shortened 2020 season.</p><p>In other words, this isn’t exactly the matchup the baseball world was hoping for. But the fact remains these are two great teams playing in what should be a paradise for fans who love offense.</p><p>The Red Sox pitching staff hasn’t exactly been a strength all season, so Boston will be relying on its lineup to carry them. Not a bad thing to consider when you scored the fifth-most runs in baseball during the season – and that certainly wasn’t an issue in the ALDS, when Boston pummeled Tampa Bay pitching over the final three games. Plus, it sounds like designated hitter J.D. Martinez’s left ankle is feeling much better, which is a great sign as well. Martinez injured himself tripping over second base in the final game of the regular season. Weird baseball injuries never take a day off.</p><p>On the flip side, Astros ace <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/status/1449039864914141186">Lance McCullers Jr. has been left off the ALCS roster</a> after experiencing forearm discomfort in his last start against the Chicago White Sox. Zack Greinke is being used primarily in a relief role after recently returning from the injured list with neck soreness, meaning Houston will have to rely on the rest of its young pitching staff to get them over the hump.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/astros-news-houston-manager-dusty-baker-makes-major-decision-ahead-of-game-1-vs-red-sox/">Framber Valdez</a>, Luis Garcia and Jose Urquidy will be the three main pitchers tasked with filling the void, while veteran Jake Odorizzi may make a start if needed. Greinke could also potentially serve as an opener if the team wanted to go that route.</p><p>Ultimately, the powerful Astros offense and its surprisingly deep pitching staff should carry them into the World Series. With any luck, the Los Angeles Dodgers will come out of the National League, and baseball fans will be treated to an incredible rematch of the 2017 World Series – you know, the one where the Astros were at the height of their sign-stealing ways, beating Los Angeles in seven games.</p><p>Surely there is plenty of animosity still left over from that series, so from a fan’s perspective, that’s the remaining marquee matchup to see.</p><p>In the meantime, expect plenty of fireworks on offense in the ALCS.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Red Sox vs. Astros: Previewing the ALCS matchup

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/mlb-odds-red-sox-vs-astros-alcs-game-1-prediction-odds-pick-and-more-write-and-publish-on-10-15.jpg"></figure><h1>MLB odds: Red Sox vs. Astros ALCS Game 1 prediction, odds, pick, and more</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-15T10:31:16-07:00">October 15th, 10:31am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-15T10:33:38-07:00">October 15th, 10:33am</time><address><a>Johnathan Wright</a>Johnathan Wright is a fantasy and betting analyst at ClutchPoints. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in Sports Analytics and also writes for NBC Sports and FanSided. Here you will find optimal DFS lineups along with data-driven game predictions. You can follow him on Twitter for more insight @JwrightOfficial.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The ALCS kicks off in the Lone Star State with the Houston Astros hosting the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Red Sox-Astros prediction and pick.</p><p>The Astros looked dominant in their 3-1 series win against the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS, and the sportsbooks have them listed at +220 to win the World Series. Meanwhile, the Red Sox shocked the baseball world by taking out the Tampa Bay Rays in four games. The Red Sox are +450 to win the World Series.</p><p>Here’s how the <a href="https://www.betonline.ag/sportsbook/baseball/mlb">sportsbooks</a> have set the Red Sox-Astros odds for Game 1.</p><h2><b>MLB Odds: Red Sox-Astros Odds</b></h2><p>Boston Red Sox +1.5 (-159)</p><p>Houston Astros -1.5 (+139)</p><p>Over 8.5 runs (-105)</p><p>Under 8.5 runs (-115)</p><p><i><b>*Watch MLB games LIVE with <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/mlb/?irad=377812&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener">fuboTV (click for free trial)</a>*</b></i></p><h2>Why The Astros Could Cover The Spread</h2><p>Houston is expected to send Framber Valdez to the mound for his second start of the postseason. The left-hander finished the regular season with an 11-6 record and a 3.14 ERA. Valdez was great against Boston in the regular season. He went 2-0 and gave up a total of two earned runs while tallying 18 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings.</p><p>Valdez struggled in his first postseason start this season. He pitched just 4 1/ innings and gave up four earned runs and seven hits.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">H-Town vs. everybody. 🤘</p><p>🎟: <a href="https://t.co/n3pirnwZNL" target="_blank">https://t.co/n3pirnwZNL</a> <a href="https://t.co/dFoEyGcVZC" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/dFoEyGcVZC</a></p><p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/status/1448800817197240321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">October 15, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>The Astros were the highest-scoring team in baseball during the regular season, averaging 5.33 runs per game. They have continued that trend in the playoffs. Houston averaged 7.75 runs in the four games against the White Sox in the ALDS.</p><p>Expect those runs to continue, as Houston averaged six runs in the seven head-to-head matches against the Red Sox this season.</p><p>Individually, 24-year-old Kyle Tucker has continued his breakout season. He is batting .294 this postseason and leads the team with seven runs batted in and two home runs.</p><h2>Why The Red Sox Could Cover The Spread</h2><p>Boston plans to give seven-time All-Star Chris Sale the start for Game 1. Sale only started in nine regular-season games this year and missed all of the 2020 season due to Tommy John surgery. He went 5-1 in those nine regular-season starts with a 3.16 ERA.</p><p>That said, Sale struggled in his first playoff start in the ALDS against the Rays. He pitched just one inning and gave up five earned runs on four hits, including a home run.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">We got some baseball to play. <a href="https://t.co/JG42CJ1YLy" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/JG42CJ1YLy</a></p><p>— Red Sox (@RedSox) <a href="https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1448998592748863499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">October 15, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>The Red Sox had one of the greatest hitting displays in recent postseason history in the previous round. They had nine different players with over five hits against the Rays and a home run from seven different players.</p><p>Individually, Enrique Hernandez is leading the team with the highest postseason batting average at a remarkable .435. He is also currently second in MLB for the most postseason hits with 10.</p><h2>Final Red Sox-Astros Prediction &amp; Pick</h2><p>The outcome of this game could go either way, so the best bet would be to take the over at 8.5. Both sides were great offensively last round. They should be able to continue their hitting dominance in Game 1, as both pitchers showed flaws in their previous postseason starts.</p><p>Additionally, the Red Sox have exceeded a game total of 8.5 runs in four of their five playoff games this postseason, while the Astros have done so in three of their four.</p><p><b>FINAL RED SOX-ASTROS PREDICTION &amp; PICK: Over 8.5 runs (-105)<br></b></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB odds: Red Sox vs. Astros ALCS Game 1 prediction, odds, pick, and more

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Dusty-Baker-makes-major-decision-ahead-of-Game-1-vs.-Red-Sox.jpg"></figure><h1>Astros manager Dusty Baker makes major decision ahead of Game 1 vs. Red Sox</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-14T15:26:43-07:00">October 14th, 3:26pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-15T01:16:55-07:00">October 15th, 1:16am</time><address><a>Steve Zavala</a>Steve is a freelance writer covering the world of sports for ClutchPoints.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>For the third time in the last five years, the Houston Astros will meet the Boston Red Sox in the postseason, as the two sides are set to face off in Game 1 of the 2021 American League Championship Series on Friday.</p><p>Ahead of the series opener, Astros manager Dusty Baker <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/1448729840912326663?s=20" rel="noopener">revealed</a> on Thursday that he plans to start Framber Valdez in Game 1 and Luis Garcia in Game 2. On the other side, the Red Sox will <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/1448759891850452995?s=20" rel="noopener">counter</a> with Chris Sale in Game 1 followed by Nathan Eovaldi in Game 2.</p><p>Valdez earned a start in the Astros’ ALDS Game 2 win against the Chicago White Sox. While he managed to record 11 swing and misses, he failed to notch five innings as he allowed seven hits and four earned runs. He did make two starts against the Red Sox in the regular season, where he posted a 1.26 ERA in 14.1 innings pitched.</p><p>Valdez <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/1448740960368746504?s=20" rel="noopener">noted</a> after the decision was made that he is much pleased with the confidence that Baker has in him.</p><blockquote>“I feel very good about it,” Valdez said. “It means a lot that they have the confidence in me.“I feel very proud of myself to make my own story in the postseason.”</blockquote><p>On the other hand, Garcia is also coming off of a sluggish outing against the White Sox; he allowed five hits and five earned runs in Game 3. As with Valdez, Garcia has also had formidable success against Boston this season. For one, he allowed a mere one earned run through 7.0 innings pitched in a home start against them in June.</p><p>More so, Garcia shined at Minute Maid Park in the regular season thanks to his 2.39 ERA and 90 strikeouts recorded over 79.0 innings pitched.</p><p>For now, it remains to be seen on who will get the nod to start in Game 3 of the ALCS at Fenway Park. With Lance McCullers Jr. currently a doubt for the ALCS due to a right forearm strain injury, starters such as Zack Greinke may need to step up in his absence against a streaky Red Sox <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox" rel="noopener">offense</a>.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros manager Dusty Baker makes major decision ahead of Game 1 vs. Red Sox

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Astros-Lance-McCullers-Lance-McCullers-injury-Astros-Red-Sox-ALCS.jpeg"></figure><h1>Astros ace Lance McCullers’ status for ALCS vs. Red Sox up in air after MRI</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-14T10:29:26-07:00">October 14th, 10:29am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-14T10:29:26-07:00">October 14th, 10:29am</time><address><a>Mitchell Widmeier</a>Mitch is a play-by-play broadcaster and writer in Minneapolis who enjoys every aspect of sports, whether it's announcing, writing, or watching. He started his career as Sports Director of a two-cluster station in Minnesota where he had his own sports talk show. He has since branched out into all aspects of sports media.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Lance McCullers was brilliant across two starts against the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS. He’s a big reason why the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/houston-astros">Houston Astros</a> punched their ticket to the ALCS to face off against the Boston Red Sox. However, after being pulled early from his last start against the White Sox, McCullers might not be available for Houston moving forward, <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman">per Jon Heyman of MLB Network</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Heard Lance McCullers had an MRI and word is that he should be fine in the long run. No official word on the next few weeks however.</p><p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1448683111869566980?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">October 14, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>McCullers is dealing with some sort of arm issue which is why Dusty Baker yanked him early against the White Sox. The Astros went on to win Game 4 by a score of 10-1 to clinch the series.</p><p>If the ace for the Astros can’t go in the ALCS, everyone moves up a notch for Houston. That would mean Framber Valdez would be at the top of the rotation followed by Luis Garcia. Then the Astros would have to decide between Jake Odorizzi and Jose Urquidy as the No. 3 starter. Perhaps going with a bullpen game and starting Kendall Graveman could be an option as well. Zach Grienke also pitched in relief briefly against the White Sox and could be elevated to a larger role.</p><p>Even though they have plenty of options to go through if McCullers can’t give it a run, Houston would figure to be in a lot of trouble facing that Red Sox lineup if McCullers is out.</p><p>It should be a wildly entertaining series and we will likely see plenty of runs scored.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros ace Lance McCullers’ status for ALCS vs. Red Sox up in air after MRI

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Red-Sox-Astros-ALCS-MLB-Playoffs-Kike-Hernandez-Xander-Bogaerts-Rafael-Devers-Carlos-Correa-Jose-Altuve.jpg"></figure><h1>2021 MLB Playoffs: 3 bold predictions for Red Sox vs. Astros in ALCS</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-13T08:51:59-07:00">October 13th, 8:51am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-13T08:53:57-07:00">October 13th, 8:53am</time><address><a>Quinn Allen</a>Quinn Allen is a freelance sports journalist and full-time editor for ClutchPoints. He specializes mainly in soccer, basketball, and baseball. When Quinn isn't producing content for CP, he's writing predictions across the European soccer and NBA world for bettors at Sports Betting Dime, one of the fastest-growing sports betting sites in North America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The stage is now set. For the second time in four seasons, the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros will meet in the American League Championship Series, with a berth in the Fall Classic on the line. Although Boston came out on top in 2018 en route to capturing the World Series, it should be a rather even matchup this time around that could very well go the distance.</p><p>The Red Sox absolutely raked as they knocked out the AL-best Tampa Bay Rays, while Houston thrived off the inexperience of the Chicago White Sox, eliminating them in just four games.</p><p>Here are 3 bold predictions for the ALCS, which begins on Friday.</p><h2><b>ALCS Red Sox vs Astros Bold Predictions</b></h2><p><b>3. Kike Hernandez continues historic postseason</b></p><p>While Boston swung the bats extremely well as a whole, Kike Hernandez was arguably one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. The former Dodger was scorching hot in the ALDS, hitting a mind-boggling .435 in four contests with two homers and 10 RBI’s. He also drove in the game-winning run in Game 4 with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth to walk it off. In fact, Hernandez had seven hits in seven at-bats for the Red Sox before lining out in the seventh inning on Monday,<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/kike-hernandez-sets-red-sox-postseason-record-with-seven-straight-hits-in-alds-vs-rays/"> which is just short of an all-time record</a>.</p><p>Yes, Tampa didn’t exactly have top-tier arms in their rotation. Kevin Cash rolled out three rookies with limited experience at the big league level, but nonetheless, Hernandez is locked in. Boston needed a player to step up and put together a terrific individual performance in order to beat the Rays and Hernandez was that man. Although the Astros do possess some better starters in Lance McCullers Jr, Framber Valdez, and Luis Garcia, expect Hernandez to keep thriving at the plate. His confidence is sky-high right now and it frankly won’t matter who is on the mound.</p><p><b>2. Offense will highlight the ALCS</b></p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox/roster">The Red Sox</a> hit an impressive .328 in the ALDS, scoring 26 runs in the last three games. Aside from Hernandez, Rafael Devers, Xander Bogaerts, JD Martinez, and Alex Verdugo are swinging the bats better than ever. Hitting is contagious and clearly, this lineup is thriving off one another and getting it done. In the process, Alex Cora’s squad also slugged 11 long balls in the opening series. Needless to say, their offense is frightening right now.</p><p>As for Houston, they had no problem scoring runs against the White Sox, either. The core of the Astros is stepping up when it matters most. Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, Michael Brantley, and Jose Altuve are all hitting over .300 in the postseason right now. Keep in mind, the White Sox had a very good rotation as well. Yet, the playoff experience of Houston shined through, banging in the series-clincher on Tuesday in Chicago.</p><p>We’re looking at two of the best offenses in baseball. While there are some very decent arms on each side, a lot of runs will be scored in the ALCS. In a nutshell, it’s going to be a very entertaining series for fans.</p><p><b>1. Red Sox win in seven games</b></p><p>The way the Red Sox are playing right now is scary. They just beat the top team in the AL and will firmly believe the sky is the limit. On top of that, Boston has taken down the Astros before and knows what to expect from this team. Although the Red Sox dealt with some slumps throughout the season and COVID-19 outbreaks, they’re hitting their stride at the perfect time. It’s going to be a back and forth series, but ultimately, Boston will come out on top and advance to the World Series.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2021 MLB Playoffs: 3 bold predictions for Red Sox vs. Astros in ALCS

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Red-Sox-Rays-Kike-Hernandez-Red-Sox-Rays-Red-Sox-ALCS.jpeg"></figure><h1>Kike Hernandez had talk to himself before walk-off at bat for Red Sox vs. Rays</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-12T09:17:58-07:00">October 12th, 9:17am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-12T09:17:58-07:00">October 12th, 9:17am</time><address><a>Mitchell Widmeier</a>Mitch is a play-by-play broadcaster and writer in Minneapolis who enjoys every aspect of sports, whether it's announcing, writing, or watching. He started his career as Sports Director of a two-cluster station in Minnesota where he had his own sports talk show. He has since branched out into all aspects of sports media.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In what turned out to be the opposite of what many had predicted, it was the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox">Boston Red Sox</a> who took out the Tampa Bay Rays in their best-of-five ALDS matchup.</p><p>It was capped by a Kike Hernandez walk-off sacrifice fly in Game 4 on Monday night. <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32384820/walk-sacrifice-fly-kike-hernandez-propels-boston-red-sox-alcs">Per ESPN</a>, the utility player for the Red Sox had a conversation with himself before his big at bat.</p><blockquote>“I was just talking to myself,” Hernandez said. “You’re about to win this game, so you need to work on slowing everything down and slowing your breathing down and slowing the game down and starting early and making sure that you see the pitch, and you’re not just swinging at your shoes for no reasons for trying to be a hero.”</blockquote><p>The talk ended up working, as Hernandez walked off the series for the Red Sox to punch Boston’s ticket to the ALCS.</p><p>Boston started their postseason run with a one game, winner-take-all contest against the New York Yankees. They had no problems with The Bronx Bombers as they won the game 6-2. They carried that momentum into their series against Tampa Bay as the Red Sox took out the top-seeded Rays in just four games.</p><p>Next up, the Red Sox will face either the Houston Astros or Chicago White Sox in the ALCS. With Boston’s offense firing on all cylinders, they absolutely have what it takes to bring home another World Series.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kike Hernandez had talk to himself before walk-off at bat for Red Sox vs. Rays

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Rays-White-Sox-Rays-White-Sox-MLB-playoffs-ALDS.jpeg"></figure><h1>Kevin Kiermaier ‘can’t believe’ Rays got screwed on wild ground-rule double vs. Red Sox</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-11T06:44:42-07:00">October 11th, 6:44am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-11T06:44:42-07:00">October 11th, 6:44am</time><address><a>Mitchell Widmeier</a>Mitch is a play-by-play broadcaster and writer in Minneapolis who enjoys every aspect of sports, whether it's announcing, writing, or watching. He started his career as Sports Director of a two-cluster station in Minnesota where he had his own sports talk show. He has since branched out into all aspects of sports media.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After a wild and thrilling extra-innings affair in Game 3, it was the<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox"> Boston Red Sox</a> who topped the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4. The result, however, didn’t come without controversy.</p><p><a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32378020/tampa-bay-rays-stung-controversial-ground-rule-double-alds-game-3-loss-boston-red-sox-heartbreaker">Per ESPN</a>, Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier couldn’t believe the ruling on his double in the 13th inning that ended up squandering an opportunity for Tampa Bay.</p><blockquote>“I can’t believe that happened or we don’t get the chance to score right there,” Kiermaier said. “For one, I crushed that ball. I was hoping to leave the yard. I got a lot of snap and crackle but no pop. First and foremost, for that to happen right there, it just doesn’t make sense to me.”</blockquote><p>In the top of the 13th inning with two outs and a full count, Kiermaier crushed a ball to deep right for the Rays. Yandy Diaz was off on the pitch given the circumstances of the count and there being two outs. The ball hit off the wall in right then off of Red Sox outfielder Hunter Renfroe before skipping over the wall. Diaz would’ve scored easily but instead, he had to go back to 3rd base as the play was deemed a ground-rule double. The Rays left both runners stranded and the Red Sox walked off in the bottom half of the 13th.</p><p>Rays manager Kevin Cash understood the ruling despite not necessarily agreeing with the rule itself.</p><blockquote>“That’s just the rule,” Cash said. “That’s the way it goes. It was very unfortunate for us. I think it was fairly obvious that [Kiermaier] or Yandy was going to come around to score, but it didn’t go our way.”</blockquote><p>The Red Sox lead the best-of-five series 2-1 over the Rays and Game 4 in Boston is set for Monday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kevin Kiermaier ‘can’t believe’ Rays got screwed on wild ground-rule double vs. Red Sox

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/red-sox-news-alex-cora-drops-truth-bomb-on-chris-sales-game-2-outing-vs-rays.jpg"></figure><h1>Red Sox manager Alex Cora drops truth bomb on Chris Sale’s Game 2 outing vs. Rays</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-10-09T12:39:16-07:00">October 9th, 12:39pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-10-09T22:20:06-07:00">October 9th, 10:20pm</time><address><a>Steve Zavala</a>Steve is a freelance writer covering the world of sports for ClutchPoints.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Chris Sale was called upon for the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays in what was his first postseason start since the 2018 World Series. Sale did not turn back the clock with a vintage performance but rather had an outing that he sure would like to forget.</p><p>Sale only completed a mere one inning against the Rays, as he allowed five earned runs and four hits through 30 pitches. The knockout blow for Sale was essentially the grand slam allowed to Jordan Luplow that opened up an early 5-2 lead for Tampa Bay.</p><p>Boston did pick up for him over the course of the game, as the offense posted a four-run fifth inning en route to a 14-6 comeback victory.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-GJ17WYMAU" rel="noopener">After the game</a>, Red Sox manager Alex Cora reflected on where it went wrong for Sale, as he gave credit to the Rays and their key situational hitting.</p><blockquote>“It’s a good-hitting team,” Cora said. “They took advantage of certain pitches, and they put some swings on it. Yandy goes the other way and then the grand slam on the fastball that was above the strike zone. Sometimes, teams game-plan on people and they do a good job with it. That 0-2 pitch was above the zone, and [Luplow] got to it.”</blockquote><p>Even after such a sluggish outing, Cora is not throwing in the towel on the seven-time All-Star. Cora did not hint at plans for Sale over the remainder of the series but simply made a note of his confidence that he will soon be able to turn it around.</p><blockquote>“We count on this guy,” Cora said. “He is going to be a big part of what we’re trying to accomplish. We’ll get him right.”</blockquote><p>It will be noteworthy to see whether Sale may be used once again in this series, such as in key situations out of the bullpen.</p><p>Success for Sale against the Rays may hinge on his fastball. Over his inning of work against Tampa Bay, he threw 13 fastballs and generated zero whiffs from them. More so, the inning-changing grand slam came off of a 94 mph fastball from the veteran pitcher.</p><p>The series now shifts to Fenway Park, where Nathan Eovaldi will earn the start <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox" rel="noopener">for</a> Boston in Game 3.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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