Today’s matchup is between the Boston Red Sox (32-21) and the Houston Astros (29-24). The Red Sox have won 3 of their last 5 games & the Astros have won 1 of their last 5 games.
The Red Sox are starting Garrett Richards (RHP), on the mound who is 4-3 on the season pitching a 3.83 ERA, 3.84 FIP, .329 wOBA, K% of 20.0%, BB% of 11.1%, 91.5 MPH average exit velocity, and a 1.50 WHIP in 54.0 innings pitched.
The Astros are starting Luis Garcia (RHP), who is 3-3 on the season with a 2.93 ERA, 4.27 FIP, .283 wOBA, K% of 26.8%, BB% of 8.9%, 88.1 MPH average exit velocity, and a 1.02 WHIP in 46.0 innings pitched.
The Red Sox are 5th in the Majors in Relieving Pitching (WAR) while the Astros are 29th.
On the hitting side, the Red Sox have a .332 wOBA and a .321 OBP. The Astros have a .330 wOBA and a .334 OBP. The Red Sox have 68 HRs this season while the Astros have 58 HRs.
Luis Garcia has the slight pitching advantage in this matchup while the Red Sox are elite when it comes to hitting & relieving. They should shake the rust off yesterday's matchup so I'm backing the Red Sox in this one.
