The Boston Red Sox begin a five-game road trip Friday night when they take on the Houston Astros in the first of a three-game set at Minute Maid Park.
Boston has dropped four of its last five games, including a 12-8 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.
Knuckleball pitcher Steven Wright will try to turn the tide for the Sox on Friday. He’s 0-2 this season, but the veteran hasn’t pitched poorly at all. Wright has a 2.13 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings. Ryan Hanigan will catch Wright and bat eighth.
The Astros haven’t fared well this season, either. Houston was just swept by the Texas Rangers and currently sits at the bottom of the American League West division with a 5-11 record. The Astros have lost seven of their last nine games.
Here are the lineups for both teams.
BOSTON RED SOX (7-8)
Mookie Betts, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, 1B
Travis Shaw, 3B
Brock Holt, LF
Ryan Hanigan, C
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Steven Wright, RHP (0-2, 2.13 ERA)
HOUSTON ASTROS (5-11)
Jose Altuve, 2B
George Springer, RF
Carlos Correa, SS
Colby Rasmus, LF
Tyler White, 1B
Evan Gattis, DH
Carlos Gomez, CF
Luis Valbuena, 3B
Erik Kratz, C
Collin McHugh, RHP (1-2, 6.39 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Nick Turchiaro/USA TODAY Sports Images
