Tim Bradbury/Getty ImagesThe World Series champion Houston Astros hope

American League Championship Series back to Boston on Thursday Stephen Piscotty Jersey , when they host the Red Sox as home favorites in Game 5 of the set.The Astros have lost the first two games of this series at Minute Maid Park, where they went 46-35 during the regular season. They lost nine straight at home between July 15 and August 14. MLB betting line: The Astros opened as -152 favorites (wager $152 to win $100); the total is at 7.5 runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. Line updates and matchup report.MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 5.4-2.8, Astros.MLB picks on every game.Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or Spotify or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news.Why the Red SoxCan Pay on the MLB LinesBoston has been phenomenal away from home this year, going 55-30 http://www.athleticsfanproshop.com/authentic-andrew-triggs-jersey , including the postseason. The Red Sox are a perfect 4-0 on the road in the playoffs, and their offense has been the difference no matter who they have sent to the mound as their starting pitcher.The Red Sox are averaging nine runs per game in those four outings, scoring eight in both Games 3 and 4 at Houston. In Wednesday's 8-6 victory, Boston outfielder Andrew Benintendi saved the game with a spectacular bases-loaded catch even though closer Craig Kimbrel technically earned it despite allowing one run and two hits in two innings. Why the AstrosCan Pay on the MLB LinesThe Astros will not have expected to be in this situation, down 3-1 in the ALCS at home, but they could not have a better pitcher than ace Justin Verlander (16-9, 2.52 ERA) in Game 5. The 35-year-old has won each of his first two starts in the postseason Jake Smolinski Jersey , including Game 1 at Fenway Park after allowing two runs and two hits in six innings with four walks and six strikeouts.Verlander also limited the Red Sox to a .143 batting average in one start during the regular season, walking away with a no-decision following six innings of work in an eventual 5-4 home loss back on June 2. Smart Betting PickHouston obviously has a serious problem in needing three consecutive wins to advance to the World Series for the second year in a row, but Verlander will not let the team's season end at home.Instead, expect Verlander and the Astros to play hard with the heart of champions and put pressure on their opponent to win the series at Fenway Park. The Red Sox have not won four straight games in more than a month, and they will not pull off that feat again here. Take Houston.MLB betting trendsThe total has gone over in 11 of Boston's past 13 games.The total has gone over in seven of Boston's past nine games on the road.Houston is 12-5 in its past 17 games. All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app. CHICAGO (AP) — The sputtering New York Yankees got some good news Monday when left-hander J.A. Happ moved a little closer to returning from hand, foot and mouth disease.Manager Aaron Boone said Happ is no longer contagious. Assuming everything goes well over the next couple of days Bruce Maxwell Jersey , Happ is on track to start Thursday against Texas in the opener of an 11-game homestand.“He’s out of the woods, virus-wise,” Boone said before New York’s game against the Chicago White Sox.Happ came over in a July 26 trade with Toronto for infielder Brandon Drury and minor league outfielder Billy McKinney. He pitched six crisp innings in a win against Kansas City in his New York debut, but the illness took him out of a critical four-game series in Boston and the Yankees were swept by the major league-leading Red Sox.Happ, who turns 36 in October, is 11-6 with a 4.05 ERA in 21 starts this year.The wild card-leading Yankees arrived in Chicago early Monday morning after a difficult 5-4 loss at Fenway Park. New York carried a 4-1 lead into the ninth, but Boston rallied against All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Benintendi hit a game-ending RBI single off Jonathan Holder in the 10th.They responded with a 7-0 victory against the White Sox http://www.athleticsfanproshop.com/authentic-chad-pinder-jersey , stopping a season-high five-game slide. They improved to 16-15 in their last 31 games.“Look, we know we’re really good,” Boone said, “and the guys I don’t think have any doubt in there. I think, to a man, they understand what we’re capable of.”Miguel Andujar served as the designated hitter a day after he committed two errors against Boston, running the total for the rookie third baseman to 10 in 92 games in the field. But Boone said he had planned on starting Neil Walker at third for the opener against the White Sox.“Miguel I feel like is equipped to deal with the successes and failures that you inevitably have up here Brett Anderson Jersey , so I don’t worry about putting him back out there,” Boone said before the win.