NEWS » Tim Warner/Getty ImagesThe World Series champion Houston

Astros will try to continue their recent success at Fenway Park on Saturday Matt Kemp Jersey , when they visit the Boston Red Sox as small road underdogs at sportsbooks for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.The Astros have won six of their past nine games against the Red Sox at Fenway, according to the OddsShark MLB Database, and knocked them out of last year's playoffs with a 5-4 victory in Game 4 there. Boston will be out to avenge that defeat. MLB betting line: The Red Sox opened as -110 favorites (wager $110 to win $100); the total is at seven runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. Line updates and matchup report.MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 5.5-2.1, Astros.MLB picks on every game.Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or Spotify or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information http://www.dodgersfanproshop.com/authentic-max-muncy-jersey , betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news.Why the Astros Can Pay on the MLB LinesHouston may be a slight underdog in Game 1 but is favored to win the series as an even better team statistically than last year. The Astros won two more games during the regular season this year than last and four more on the road, where they led MLB with an outstanding 57-24 mark.In fact, Houston's road record was better than every other team's in baseball at home except that of Boston, which went 57-24 at Fenway. The Astros will send Justin Verlander (16-9, 2.52 ERA) to the mound in the series opener, and he earned three-quarters of his wins away from home in 2018 http://www.angelsfanproshop.com/authentic-zack-cozart-jersey , going 12-2 with a 2.14 ERA.Why the Red Sox Can Pay on the MLB LinesThe Red Sox will count on ace Chris Sale (12-4, 2.11 ERA) to come through for them in this crucial spot, and he picked up a victory in Game 1 of the AL Division Series versus the New York Yankees after allowing two runs and five hits in 5.1 innings with two walks and eight strikeouts.Sale let his team down in last year's ALDS matchup and will be out to redeem himself here, and Boston's bats have improved since then, with the two league MVP favorites in Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez. While Betts is expected to win MVP honors, Martinez has been much better in the playoffs with a .357 batting average Chris Young Jersey , one home run and six RBI in the four-game series win over New York. Smart Betting PickMartinez may make the difference for the Red Sox this time around, as he has hit well against most of Houston's pitchers over the course of his career, including Verlander (2-for-3 with two RBI). That said, this is a must-win matchup for the Red Sox鈥攁nd especially Sale. If they lose Game 1, they will be big dogs to win the series. That will not happen.MLB Betting TrendsThe total has gone over in five of Houston's past six games when playing Boston.Boston is 4-1 in its past five games.The total has gone over in seven of Boston's past nine 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. Masterpress/Getty ImagesMike Scioscia is denying a report that this will be his last season managing the Los Angeles Angels.Per Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register Cam Bedrosian Jersey , Scioscia said鈥渘othing鈥檚 changed" regarding his status with the Angels and it's鈥減oppycock" to suggest this will be his final year.The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Saturday that Scioscia is expected to step down at the end of the 2018 season.The 59-year-old Scioscia signed a 10-year contract with the Angels in January 2009 that expires after this season.At the end of last season, Scioscia told reporters he wasn't concerned about coming back to the Angels with just one year left on his deal."Right now, I'm focused on 2018 because I think we have a lot of momentum and potential that we see," Scioscia said. "I know we're gonna be better next year, and that's what I'm excited about."He was hired by the team in 2000 and is currently the longest-tenured manager in Major League Baseball. Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants is the only other skipper who has been with his current team for at least 10 seasons.The Angels have been one of the most successful MLB franchises with Scioscia as manager. He has led them to seven playoff appearances, six division titles and a World Series title in 2002.Scioscia's 1 http://www.angelsfanproshop.com/authentic-zack-cozart-jersey ,625 managerial wins are the most in Angels history andranks18th all-time in MLB history.