Boston Red Sox ALDS Game 1 preview and predictions

The Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros will clash in Game 1 of the ALDS on Thursday afternoon. Here’s everything a Sox fan needs to know.

Chris Sale will be on the mound for the Boston Red Sox as they take on Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros. Game 1 of the ALDS is going to be huge, as the winner has a quick advantage in a short 5-game series.

Boston limped their way to an AL East title on the last weekend of the regular season, but in the postseason they will need to turn it up. I think they have what it takes to do that. Leader Dustin Pedroia will be crucial to the team’s mentality and success. David Price will show that he’s a huge asset in the bullpen.

Now, here are my player projections and my score prediction for Game 1 of the ALDS in Houston.

Chris Sale: 6.0 IP, 8 Ks, 1 BB, 2 ER

If the Red Sox are going to win this series, they need a big Game 1 performance from their ace. He’ll be opposite Justin Verlander, and he needs to bring his best stuff. I expect Sale to be hyped and bring the heat. Look for him to get through 6 full innings before turning things over to his bullpen. Recording 8 strikeouts should be cake for him in the game, but the Astros will score a few runs off of him. He’ll exit with the Red Sox in the lead thanks to a stellar postseason performance.

Xander Bogaerts: 3-5, 2B, 3 RBI, 1 R

Xander has been hot as we head into postseason play. I think that can continue against Justin Verlander and the Astros. A 2-run double and a RBI single will make Bogaerts the MVP of this game. He’ll be responsible for four total runs on the night with his 3 RBI and 1 run scored.

Dustin Pedroia: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI

Pedey will go 2-4 at the dish tonight with one huge home run. It’ll be the at-bat that opens the game up for Boston. To keep him healthy, the Sox will bring in a defensive replacement for Pedroia later in the game, otherwise, he’d get another at-bat.

David Price: 1.0 IP, 2 Ks, 0 ER

I’ve been saying this all week long. David Price is going to be huge for the Boston Red Sox in the postseason. He will get it going right away in Game 1, as the first reliever into the game after Chris Sale exits. In the 7th inning, he’ll strikeout 2, allow no hits, and allow no runs. Expect another classic picture of him out of this one as well.

Next: A huge day for Boston sports

Game Prediction: Red Sox 6, Astros 2

Xander Bogaerts will be the game MVP here behind Chris Sale’s great game on the mound. Boston gets a road win to begin the series, swinging the momentum in their favor. Drew Pomeranz will get the Game 2 start in Houston before the series shifts to Fenway Park on Sunday. After Thursday night, the Sox will be just 2 wins away from the ALCS.

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