Red Sox Vs. Astros Lineups: Tanner Houck Starts Pivotal Series In Houston

The Boston Red Sox and the Houston Astros begin a critical three-game series at Minute Maid Park on Monday night.

Houston got the best of the Red Sox earlier this month at Fenway Park when the reigning American League West champions swept Boston in a three-game set. Boston hopes to turn the tides with massive playoff implications as the team trails the Kansas City Royals by 3 1/2 games for the final AL wild-card spot.

Tanner Houck takes the ball for Boston in the opener. The All-Star put together two consecutive solid starts, including six innings of one-run ball against the Astros back on Aug. 9.

In Alex Cora's lineup, Tyler O'Neill bats second in right field with Rob Refsnyder in left field batting third. Danny Jansen starts behind the plate with Connor Wong serving as the designated hitter for the Red Sox.

The Astros counter with Yusei Kikuchi, who Houston paid out a heavy return for to the Toronto Blue Jays before the trade deadline. The left-hander is 2-0 with a 2.73 ERA in three starts since joining the Astros.

Here are the lineups for the series opener between the Red Sox and Astros.

BOSTON RED SOX (65-58)
Jarren Duran, CF
Tyler O'Neill, RF
Rob Refsnyder, LF
Rafael Devers, 3B
Romy González, 2B
Danny Jansen, C
Triston Casas, 1B
Connor Wong, DH
Ceddanne Rafaela, SS

RHP Tanner Houck (8-8, 3.01 ERA)

HOUSTON ASTROS (67-56)
Jose Altuve, 2B
Yordan Alvarez, DH
Yainer Diaz, 1B
Jeremy Pena, SS
Victor Caratini, C
Jake Meyers, CF
Trey Cabbage, RF
Mauricio Dubon, LF
Shay Whitcomb, 3B

LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 4.49 ERA)