Astros vs. Red Sox 2021 MLB ALCS Game 3 Odds, Preview, and Prediction

By Carlos Chacon • October 18, 2021

Fireworks will explode in Fenway this Tuesday night, as the American League Championship Series between the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox shifts to Beantown. The Red Sox erupted in Game 2 to tie the series at two games apiece, as both teams aim to keep their respective offensive outbursts going in hopes of taking the series lead.

NitroBetting is here to deliver the latest Major League Baseball news and coverage from the 2021 MLB playoffs and beyond. This time, let’s take a look at the pivotal rubber match between the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the ALCS. Be on top of all the developments by tuning in for MLB odds, previews, and predictions for all the exciting postseason baseball action ahead.

Astros vs. Red Sox 2021 MLB ALCS Game 3 Information

When: Monday, October 18, 2021, 8:08 PM ET
Where: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
TV: FS1
Radio: 790AM KBME (Astros) // WEEI-FM 93.7 FM (Red Sox)
Live Stream: MLB.tv
MLB Odds: Astros (+105) / Red Sox (-115)

Why bet on the Houston Astros?

Despite dropping Game 2 Saturday, 9-5, the Houston Astros should still feel good about their chances of reclaiming home-field advantage this Tuesday night in Boston. Houston has scored five runs in each of the first two games of the ALCS, with Yuli Gurriel delivering a solo home run and three RBIs during Saturday’s loss as the team tried to valiantly claw out of a massive 9-0 hole.

However, the Astros need their pitching arms to step up against a potent Red Sox offense that just had a historic run explosion the previous game (more on that below). Their starting rotation has been thrown into a loop after Game 2 starter Luis Garcia had to exit Saturday’s contest early in the second inning due to injury. That puts Jose Urquidy in line to make his first-ever MLB postseason start.

The Mexican righty has been a serviceable arm for the Astros during the regular season, posting an 8-3 record with a 3.62 ERA. Urquidy will need to go quite the distance in his maiden playoff start to give Houston’s bullpen less work as the team’s rotation is still in flux due to the forearm injury suffered by top ace Lance McCullers.

Why bet on the Boston Red Sox?

Game 2 was pretty much over by the top of the second inning, as the Boston Red Sox jumped out to an 8-0 lead thanks to a couple of grand slams courtesy of J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers. It’s the first time in MLB postseason history that a team managed to hit two grand slams in a single playoff game.

As if that wasn’t enough, Boston’s current playoff MVP, outfielder Kike Hernandez, continued his torrid batting pace on Saturday by hitting a solo shot in the fourth to give the Sox a massive 9-0 lead. Hernandez became just the third player in franchise history to hit five home runs in five straight playoff games. With the offense having woken up, it’s up to the pitching staff to try and contain Houston’s bats once more.

Unfortunately, struggling Eduardo Rodriguez is set to take the mound on Tuesday. Rodriguez’s earned-run average in the postseason is nothing to gloat about (7.02), and neither is his 11.57 ERA from his two starts against the Astros during the regular season.

Astros vs. Red Sox MLB Betting Trends

The Astros are just 2-4 in their last six postseason road games.
The Astros are also just 2-7 in their last nine games wherein they were slated as underdogs.
The run totals have gone over in all five of Houston’s most recent games and in eight over the team’s last nine overall.
The Red Sox are 9-3 in their last 12 home games.
The Sox are just 3-6 in their nine meetings against the Astros this season, including the playoffs.
The totals have gone over in each of the last four Astros vs. Red Sox showdowns.

Astros vs. Red Sox Series Betting Prediction

The starting pitching won’t get any better for both sides in Game 3, which means that there should be another slug-off for both Houston and Boston’s big bats. While the Red Sox offense has looked better of late, it’s not wise to underestimate the Astros’ own batting order that’s stacked with postseason heroes of recent past in Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa ready to bounce back from their relatively humble outings in Game 2.

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*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.