3 Bold Predictions for Astros vs. Red Sox ALCS Game 5

We've got a highly contested Game 5 of the ALCS early Wednesday evening when the Boston Red Sox host the Houston Astros at Fenway Park at 5:08 p.m. EST today.

The Astros tied up the series at 2-2 thanks to a breakout ninth inning in Game 4, scoring seven runs in route to a 9-2 victory. Today, the Red Sox are slight -122 moneyline favorites over the Astros (+112) with the total set at 9.5. The under is favored at -115 odds relative to the over of -105.

Chris Sale and Framber Valdez rematch from Game 1 in which both starters lasted only 2.2 innings.

With so many different betting options to choose from tonight, I've got three bold predictions to wager on with all odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

For even more bold betting predictions, check out Peter Dewey's top three for Game 4 of the NLCS tonight between the Dodgers and the Braves.

Bold Predictions for Astros vs. Red Sox ALCS Game 5

• Chris Sale OVER 4 strikeouts (-130)
• Total stays UNDER 9 for first time in series (-115)
• Xander Bogaerts (+500) and Alex Bregman (+500) BOTH Leave the Yard

Chris Sale OVER 4 strikeouts (-130)

As our Matt De Saro pointed out earlier in his "3 Best Pitching Prop Bets for Chris Sale," today, the veteran flame-thrower has been very ineffective in the 2021 postseason. Sale has thrown just 3.2 IP in the playoffs this year with only four strikeouts and a 14.73 ERA.

He's also been far more effective at home this year, going 5-0 with a 2.48 ERA and 36 punch-outs. I'm not expecting Sale to go more than 5 innings, which is a stretch considering his recent performance, but I do think he's capable of making it through the full order and more at least once, giving him ample opportunities to clear the over.

Total Runs Under 9.5 (-115)

In Game 1 between these same pitchers: Sale and Valdez, the total finished at nine in the Astros' 5-4 victory at home. With the next three games rocketing to 14, 15 and 11 total runs, I anticipate a lower scoring ballgame, especially with the shadows out for a 5:08 p.m. EST first pitch at Fenway Park.

What's remarkable is how the Astros are somehow still alive despite their starting pitchers barely hanging on for dear life. In four games, their starters have only gone a total of seven innings.

Xander Bogaerts (+500) and Alex Bregman (+500) BOTH Hit a Home Run

It should be a gorgeous day in Boston with the forecast being around 68 degrees and sunny at first pitch. While the wind conditions don't favor pitchers or hitters today, we should see a few long balls to come out of Game 5, especially from two guys who have had plenty of historical success against today's starting pitchers.

Even though Jose Altuve has been the hotter hitter this postseason, I like Bregman to go yard on Sale in large part because of his eye to take on the nasty slider. Bregman has a 22.2% walk rate against the lefty, so if he's spitting on his wipeout pitch, he can wait for a fastball to turn it over the monster.

Meanwhile, Bogaerts has never taken Valdez deep in six at-bats, but he has two hits, one of which was a double and three walks. Via MLB Statcast, Bogaerts' average exit velocity off Vladez is 95.4 mph, so when he hits him, he hits him hard.