MLB Betting: Action Once Again Split On Astros Vs Red Sox

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez raises his right hand in celebration after hitting a home run May 12, 2022, in Minneapolis.
Image Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

In Monday’s MLB betting report, we noted just one matchup that featured definitive two-way action. Tuesday presents more of the same, at least at DraftKings, where there’s just one game in which wagers are going one direction and cash is going the other. And what do you know, as was the case Monday, the same two teams are involved.

Let’s dive into where the MLB betting action is flowing for Tuesday’s robust slate of 15 games under the lights — including a trio of doubleheader nightcaps.

Odds updated as of 6 p.m. ET on May 17.

Splitting the Difference

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado smiles and points with his right index finger while chatting with the fans during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels
Image Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Boston got the better of the Astros in Monday’s series opener, scoring three runs in the bottom of the eight to break a 3-3 tie and steal a 6-3 victory. Entering that contest, tickets at WynnBet favored Houston (65%), but the handle favored the Red Sox (57%).

A similar situation has unfolded at DraftKings for Tuesday’s Astros-Red Sox matchup. Boston is a slim -120 home chalk, and while 59% of the bets are on Houston at even-money (+100), 62% of the dollars are on the Red Sox.

The only other moneyline that’s remotely close to seeing two-way action at DraftKings is Padres vs Phillies. Philadelphia (-115) is attracting 73% of the cash against San Diego (-105), but ticket count is just 55%/45% in favor of the Phillies.

It’s a different story, though, at WynnBet, where multiple games are seeing split action, including:

  • Tigers (+240) vs Rays (-280): 77% bets on Tampa Bay/53% money on Detroit
  • Mariners (+120) vs Blue Jays (-130): 64% bets on Toronto/58% money on Seattle
  • Astros (+107) vs Red Sox (-117): 51% bets on Houston/54% money on Boston
  • Cardinals (+114) vs Mets (-124), Game 2: 55% bets on St. Louis/83% money on New York
  • Angels (-128) vs Rangers (+118): 76% bets on Los Angeles/72% money on Texas
  • Twins (-105) vs A’s (-105): 79% bets on Minnesota/58% money on Oakland
  • Diamondbacks (+175) vs Dodgers (-190), Game 2: 84% bets on the Dodgers/92% money on Arizona

Lopsided Action Both Ways

Anthony Rizzo #48 of the New York Yankees hits a two-run home run
Image Credit: Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

Several monster favorites are predictably attracting an overwhelming amount of the action on the Tuesday MLB betting board at DraftKings, including:

  • Orioles (+190) vs Yankees (-235): 94% bets/96% money on New York
  • Tigers (+235) vs Rays (-300): 86% bets/83% money on Tampa Bay
  • Diamondbacks (+165) vs Dodgers (-195), Game 2: Los Angeles 80% bets/78% money

However, there are also significant betting splits in favor of several modest favorites at DraftKings:

  • White Sox (-115) vs Royals (-105), Game 2: 84% tickets/76% money on Chicago
  • Braves (+100)  vs Brewers (-120): 73% tickets/77% money on Milwaukee
  • Pirates (+125) vs Cubs (-145): 88% tickets/83% money on Chicago
  • Angels (-130) vs Rangers (+110): 84% tickets/90% money on the Angels

Totally Balanced

Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox hits a solo home run in the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 13, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.
Image Credit: Quinn Harris/Getty Images

Looking at totals for Tuesday, there’s some serious lopsided action — almost all targeted to Overs. In fact, DraftKings reports every single dollar placed on Game 2 of the Royals-White Sox doubleheader is on Over 8.5 runs (as are 70% of the tickets).

The nightcap of Diamondbacks-Dodgers is also drawing one-way action on a 7.5 total, with 97% cash/81% tickets lined up on the Over (following a high-scoring Game 1). Padres-Phillies Over 8 is at 83% bets/94% dollars, while Game 2 of Cardinals-Mets is showing 75% bets/90% cash on Over 8.

That said, there is balanced action on several other totals, including:

  • Yankees-Orioles (O/U 8.5): 54% bets on the Under/73% cash on the Over
  • Mariners-Blue Jays (O/U 8): 60% bets on the Under/71% cash on the Over
  • Braves-Brewers (O/U 8.5): 78% bets on the Over/51% cash on the Under
  • Giants-Rockies (O/U 11): 50% bets both ways/53% cash on the Over

Looking for the game with the biggest action divide on the runline at DraftKings? Head back to Philadelphia, where 73% of bets are on Phillies -1.5 runs, but 67% of the money is on Padres +1.5 runs.