This will be Framber Valdez third start since returning from the IL, and he allowed one run in seven innings against the Red Sox at home in his last start. Martin Perez allowed no runs in 7.2 IP against the Astros in his last start which was his best of the season. The Astros are third in the league in wOBA against lefties while the Red Sox are just 15th. JD Martinez should be out of the lineup again and the Astros were off yesterday while the Red Sox weren’t. The Astros won three out of four in Houston last week, take the Astros.

The Houston Astros were stout in last week’s home series winning three of four over the Red Sox. Pitcher Framber Valdez delivered 10 strikeouts in his victory over the Red Sox, and has a fresh arm with this being his third start of the year. Back the Astros to end Boston's five-game win streak.

The Sox enter on a five-game winning streak and their starter here, lefty Martin Perez, dominated the Astros last Thursday in Houston, shutting them out over 7.2 innings. He has a 1.82 ERA over his past four. Why are the Stros favored then? Young lefty Framber Valdez (1-0, 1.64) held the Red Sox to one run on five hits in seven innings in his previous start Wednesday. I'll gladly take Boston at +1.5 on the runline at home, though. Houston is 2-5 in its past seven as a road favorite.