After a disappointing series against the San Diego Padres the Red Sox remain on the road and head part of the way back home, stopping in Texas for three games against the Houston Astros.
All things considered, this is apparently the time to play the Astros. Despite still being a good team, still part of the post-ASG gauntlet, the wheels have fallen off the Astrowagon a bit of late. The team had a .537 winning percentage in April and May before surging to .731 in June and crashing to .480 in July. They’ve gone 4-5 so far in August with three of those losses coming at the hands of the Red Sox.
Boston doesn’t exactly have a perfect pitching matchup this series either. But Garrett Crochet is pitching the first game. After missing the Astros when they were at Fenway Park it’s a nice bonus to have him available on the road.
Christian Javier will make his season debut for Houston on Monday. After missing 14 months with Tommy John surgery he’s back and, almost, ready to pitch. After a short rehab assignment that saw him put up a 15:15 K:BB in 14 innings in the minors he might be a little rusty out there. You have to think this one favors Boston. Though, as we know, nothing is guaranteed.
Tuesday sees Dustin May make his second start wearing something other than Dodger Blue. He ended up lasting just 3.2 innings while striking out 4 his first time out. His pitch mix was already different than it had been with the Dodgers. It briefly looked like he might at least make it five innings or toss a quality start. Obviously a work in progress for Andrew Bailey. Hopefully they can get something from him quick. He’s lucky that the matchup is against Spencer Arrighetti. With a mid-7s ERA it looks like batters are on top of Arrighetti, all covered with cheese, losing meatballs into the stands.
The Wednesday finale sees Walker Buehler against Hunter Brown. Buehler is coming off a gem against the Padres. Hunter Brown allowed just one run in 7.0 innings at Fenway Park but the Astros bullpen couldn’t contain Roman Anthony.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Monday, August 11: Garrett Crochet (2.24 ERA / 2.96 FIP) vs. Christian Javier (— ERA / — FIP)
Tuesday, August 12: Dustin May (4.93 ERA / 4.64 FIP) vs. Spencer Arrighetti (7.43 ERA / 4.68 FIP)
Wednesday, August 13: Walker Buehler (5,40 ERA / 5.73 FIP) vs. Hunter Brown (2.51 ERA / 4.19 FIP)
Friday August 1: 8:10 PM ET on NESN
Saturday August 2: 8:10 PM ET on NESN
Sunday August 3: 7:10 PM ET on NESN
