BOSTON — The Red Sox are riding high for a change.
While it’s been a disappointing season for Boston to this point, the Red Sox showed life on their recent seven-game road trip. Boston went 5-2 against the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays, giving the club some momentum as it prepares to close out the first half with an eight-game homestand.
The Red Sox will kick off the home slate Friday night against the Houston Astros. Justin Masterson will face Dan Straily in the series opener at Fenway Park.
Masterson, who rejoined Boston’s rotation when Joe Kelly was demoted to Triple-A Pawtucket, pitched well in his first start off the disabled list. The right-hander allowed only one unearned run on five hits over five innings while striking out six as the Red Sox defeated the Rays 5-3 at Tropicana Field.
Masterson will pitch in front of a fairly standard starting lineup Friday. Ryan Hanigan will catch for the second consecutive game after being activated from the DL. Catcher Blake Swihart was placed on the DL before Friday’s game amid several roster moves, so Hanigan will assume a starting role moving forward.
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts again will bat third, as he’s been swinging the bat well this season. Alejandro De Aza will remain in the starting lineup in right field against a right-hander, though Shane Victorino was activated from the DL and is expected to start Saturday afternoon’s game.
The complete lineups for Friday’s Red Sox-Astros matchup are below.
RED SOX (37-44)
Mookie Betts, CF
Brock Holt, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Alejandro De Aza, RF
Ryan Hanigan, C
Justin Masterson, RHP (3-2, 5.58 ERA)
ASTROS (47-34)
Jose Altuve, 2B
Preston Tucker, RF
Carlos Correa, SS
Luis Valbuena, 3B
Evan Gattis, LF
Jon Singleton, DH
Chris Carter, 1B
Jason Castro, C
Alex Presley, CF
Dan Straily, RHP (0-0, — )
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
