After losing their first series in nearly three weeks to the San Diego Padres, the Boston Red Sox will aim to rebound as they open a series in Houston. The matchup is a quick rematch against the Astros, a team Boston swept last weekend for the first time since 2013.
The Red Sox (65-54) will send ace left-hander Garrett Crochet to the mound. The big lefty has been exceptional, earning the win in his last six starts and not taking a personal loss in his last 11 outings. His dominance is league-wide, as he leads the majors in both wins (13) and innings pitched (148 ⅓) while pacing the American League with a 2.24 ERA.
For the Astros (66-52), right-hander Cristian Javier will make his season debut, marking his return after a 14-month absence following Tommy John surgery.
The series also marks the first return to Houston for Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman, who left the Astros as a free agent last offseason. Bregman was a key member of two World Series championship teams during his nine seasons with the club. “It’s going to be great,” Bregman said. “It’s going to be cool to be back in Houston playing against a really good ballclub. I look forward to going out there and competing with the guys and trying to get some wins.”
Having lost three of their last four games, the Red Sox enter Monday’s contest four games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East and one game behind the Seattle Mariners for the first AL Wild Card spot.
First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. Eastern time. The game will be broadcast on NESN and WEEI-FM 93.7.
RED SOX LINEUP:
- Roman Anthony, DH
- Alex Bregman, 3B
- Jarren Duran, LF
- Trevor Story, SS
- Wilyer Abreu, RF
- Romy Gonzalez, 2B
- Abraham Toro, 1B
- Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
- Carlos Narváez, C
Pitching: LHP Garrett Crochet (13-4, 2.24 ERA)
ASTROS LINEUP:
- Jeremy Peña, SS
- Carlos Correa, 3B
- Jose Altuve, DH
- Christian Walker, 1B
- Yainer Diaz, C
- Ramón Urías, 2B
- Mauricio Dubón, LF
- Chas McCormick, CF
- Cam Smith, RF
Pitching: RHP Cristian Javier (Season Debut)
