Boston @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 2, 2011 ) Boston 10, Houston 4

THE STORY: With their lineup in disarray, the Boston Red Sox wrap up a grueling nine-game interleague road trip Sunday against baseball’s worst team, the Houston Astros. Boston has won the first two games of the series and sends Josh Beckett to the mound in the series finale. Houston, which continues to struggle woefully at Minute Maid Park, counters with 20-year-old rookie Jordan Lyles who is still searching for his first major league win.

TV: 2:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS Houston

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Josh Beckett (6-3, 2.20 ERA) vs. Astros RH Jordan Lyles (0-3, 4.75). Beckett sports the American League’s second-best ERA. That total took a hit in his last outing when the righthander allowed a season-high five runs on five hits in six innings at Philadelphia. Beckett missed his previous two scheduled starts because of the flu and never seemed comfortable against the Phillies. Otherwise, Beckett has been splendid on the season and could have several more wins if the Red Sox offense had given him more support. He is 2-2 in six career starts against the Astros also with a 2.20 ERA. Lyles didn’t figure in the decision in his debut. Too bad because Houston has lost all five of his starts since. Opponents are batting .295 against the 2008 supplemental draft choice at home. Lyles had his worst start in his last outing, a 7-3 setback against the Rangers when he allowed 10 hits and five runs in six innings. Lyles has the ability to strike out batters. He fanned eight in five innings against the Pirates in mid-June.

ABOUT THE ASTROS (29-55): Jeff Keppinger returned to the Houston lineup Saturday after missing Friday’s game because of illness. Houston seems to be counting the days until Wandy Rodriguez starts. They are 21-50 in games he doesn't start, and 8-5 when he does. The Astros have won only one of their last 11 games at Minute Maid Park and are off to an 0-2 start in July after going 8-19 in June.

ABOUT THE RED SOX (48-34): There is no question that Boston has a huge edge over Houston in the bullpen. Boston’s bullpen threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings in Friday night’s 7-5 come-from-behind win over the Astros. Daniel Bard has been the ace out of the pen - he hasn’t given up a run since May 23, a span of 15 games. Bard allowed four runs in his first game of the season, otherwise his ERA would be less than 1.50. Carl Crawford is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday but he will not. In fact, Crawford may not return until after the All-Star break. Boston is 17-15 in games decided by one or two runs this season. Jacoby Ellsbury returned to the lineup after missing a couple of games because of the flu. Josh Reddick has played well since being recalled from Triple A Pawtucket. Reddick, who seems to be the heir to J.D. Drew’s role in right field, entered Saturday’s game batting .452 with a homer and 10 RBIs in 16 games.

FINAL PITCH: Kevin Youkilis left Saturday’s game with an ankle injury in the ninth inning and is questionable for Sunday’s game. Youkilis had three hits and finished his at-bat in the ninth before leaving.