Astros vs. Red Sox Prediction and Odds for Tuesday, May 17 (Back Houston at Plus Money)

After a 6-3 Boston win in the first game of the series, the 14-21 Red Sox hope for a similar result tonight as they host the 23-13 Astros at 7:10 PM EST.

Houston has now lost two of three after a nine-game winning streak and will send Jose Urquidy to the bump in this one. Urquidy has struggled this year but did throw six scoreless innings against the Tigers last week.

The Red Sox will counter with Nathan Eovaldi, who has a quality start in three of his last four outings while compiling a 2.87 ERA in that stretch.

Can the Astros get back to their winning ways on the road or will Boston notch back-to-back victories over the visitors?

Here are the odds from WynnBET to help us find some value in this Astros vs Red Sox matchup:

Astros vs Red Sox Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Astros +1.5 (-195)
• Red Sox -1.5 (+160)

Moneyline:

• Astros: +107
• Red Sox: -117

Total:

• 8.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Astros vs Red Sox Prediction and Pick

Jose Urquidy only threw three innings in his last start against the Twins due to a rain delay, but was pitching well. He gave up only one run in three innings to follow up six scoreless against Detroit. Houston hopes the Urquidy we saw in those two outings is indicative of what's to come, because he looked terrible in his first four starts of the year.

In those, Urquidy had a 5.95 ERA and struggled mightily to prevent hard contact. His pitching profile from Baseball Savant paints a picture of one of the worst starters in the league:

The Red Sox have shown improvement offensively of late, ranking 12th in OPS in May and having won four of six games, so Urquidy could have his work cut out for him.

But so will Nathan Eovaldi, as the Astros are third in OPS during May and still sport an impressive 14-9 road record. Eovaldi has been excellent in his last four starts, but all four came against teams that rank in the bottom-half of the league in OPS over the last three weeks. Houston will be the best lineup he's faced, and his 4.52 FIP (FIelding Independent Pitching) implies he's been lucky to amass a 3.15 ERA.

With Eovaldi due for regression and the Astros' significant bullpen advantage, I'm inclined to back Houston at plus money. Boston's bullpen has the second-worst ERA in the American League and lead MLB in blown saves with nine, so I have faith in the powerful visiting lineup. Give me Houston to right the ship after dropping two of three.

Pick: Astros (+107)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.