3 Bold Predictions for Red Sox vs. Astros ALCS Game 2

Last night, center fielder Enrique Hernandez came up big for the Boston Red Sox. Hernandez went 4-for-5, hit two home runs and drove in two RBI from the leadoff spot and played great defensively in center, but he couldn’t do it all. 

Boston’s bullpen crumbled down the stretch, allowing a two-run home run in the sixth inning, another solo home run in the seventh, and the game clinching run in the eighth. 

Here are three bold predictions for this game, odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Luis Garcia Will Not Make It Through the Third Inning

Sometimes, a pitcher just doesn’t have it. That appears to be the case for Astros’ righty Luis Garcia right now.

In his final start of the regular season, Garcia allowed eight hits and six earned runs in just five innings of work against the Tampa Bay Rays. Garcia followed that with an appearance against the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS and managed to allow five runs on five hits in just 2 ⅔ innings pitched.

I suspect that those struggles won’t evaporate after a week, and if Garcia has any trouble hitting his spots he will be pulled quickly.

Nathan Eovaldi Will Not Make It Through the Third Inning

Eovaldi made just one start against Houston this season, but struggled to put away their lineup on that June 9th start, giving up 11 hits and walking three in just 5 ⅔ innings of work.

Too many men on the bases will likely lead to Eovaldi being pulled early by manager Alex Cora. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Garrett Whitlock throw multiple innings of relief in Game 2.

Nine Runs Will Be Scored After Five Innings

WynnBET Sportsbook has the total for Game 2 set at 8.5 (over -120/under +100), and there will be a lot of early runs scored in this one.

Both lineups have been hitting very well, and while one starter has struggled (Garcia), another has been performing above expectations (Eovaldi). 

Minute Maid Park in Houston can be a launching pad for right-handed hitters and it will show in Game 2. Surprisingly, right-handed batters have hit Eovaldi more frequently in 2021, Eovaldi allowing a .263 average to righties compared to .241 to lefties.