Posted at 1:30 PM EST. Odds subject to change.

Pinnacle +123  BET365 +125 Sportsinteraction +126 888Sport +122

Boston +125 over Houston

8:10 PM EST. We’re going to roll the dice a little bit with Tanner Houck (RHP - BOS) taking this turn at Houston. The start is a return from the IL (face) for Houck, who has been out since mid-June after being struck in the face by a come-backer and having surgery. As a right-hander, he flips the Astros to the lesser side of their platoon splits (.722 OPS, .159 ISO). He has been solid over three minor league rehab starts. Houck registered supportable 3.52 and 3.15 ERAs in 2021 and 2022, respectively and he had posted a 3.88 xERA prior to his injury. Houck figures to be extremely motivated and focused here. He looked solid in those rehab starts. 

The Astronauts figured they could turn back the clock when they picked up Justin Verlander (RHP - HOU) at the deadline. Maybe they can but Verlander was amongst the luckiest pitchers in the league last year and his luck is regressing to the norm. As long as Verlander is priced in ranges he shouldn’t be, we’ll continue to fade him. Verlander draws a Boston offense that has cranked out an .813 OPS over its last seven games. For the season, Verlander has benefited from a 24% hit rate and 81% strand mark. He’s allowed eight runs in his last 11 innings and that’s with good fortune. He’s not that good anymore.

Sherwood

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