The Boston Red Sox are in a playoff chase and have one of their toughest challenges yet.
On Monday, the Red Sox start a three-game series with the Houston Astros. While the Red Sox did recently sweep the Astros in Boston, Houston currently leads the American League West by one game over the Seattle Mariners.
Monday’s game will mark Alex Bregman’s first trip to Houston as a visitor. Bregman was drafted by the Astros and played the first nine seasons of his career there before signing with the Red Sox in free agency this past offseason.
Bregman is excited to return to Houston.
“Two playoff teams getting after it,” Bregman said. “I think it’s going to be a really good atmosphere.”
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Not only is it two competitive teams playing a series late in the season, but the two did have a scuffle in their previous series. Astros reliever Hector Neris took exception with something Red Sox third base coach Kyle Hudson said, and the benches cleared. No punches were thrown, but the flame could reignite in the coming series.
The Red Sox will face Christian Javier in his first start back from Tommy John surgery and Spencer Arrighetti in the first two games of the series. Hunter Brown will start the third game, but they’re lucky to miss Framber Valdez, who has been historically successful against Boston.
Featured image via Peter Aiken/Imagn Images
