Boston @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Mar 30, 2011 ) Boston 10, Houston 0
THE STORY: After salvaging the finale of a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies, the slumping Boston Red Sox will visit the Houston Astros while trailing the New York Yankees by 2 1/2 games in the American League East. Jon Lester posted his 10th win of the season to give Boston just its second victory in its last eight games. The Red Sox, however, continue to struggle at the plate - they have scored a combined six runs in their last three games. Boston will start knuckleballer Tim Wakefield against Houston’s hard-throwing Bud Norris. The Astros snapped a five-game losing streak on Thursday by trouncing the Texas Rangers.
TV: 8:05 p.m. NESN, FSH
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Tim Wakefield (4-3, 4.54 ERA) vs. Astros RH Bud Norris (4-6, 3.36 ERA)
Although Wakefield spent a great deal of time in the National League, he’s only faced the Astros once, going 3 2/3 innings while allowing two runs in a game several years ago. Wakefield took the loss in his last start, a 6-4 defeat at Pittsburgh, where he was tagged for five runs on seven hits in six innings. Wakefield also walked four in the game and the free passes were costly as Lyle Overbay followed a pair of walks with a homer. Opponents are batting just .228 against the veteran this season, but Boston certainly needs more quality outings out of Wakefield if he is going to remain in the rotation.
Norris has been one of the few bright spots in the Astros’ rotation. Houston, however, has given him little support. Norris suffered through back-to-back 1-0 losses where he allowed a combined total of just one run on seven hits in 13 innings. In his last start, he was charged with three runs in five innings in a 7-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. A power pitcher, Norris has fanned 100 batters in 99 innings this season. In 2010, he struck out 158 in 153 innings. In just his third year in the majors, Norris has never faced Boston.
ABOUT THE ASTROS (29-53): Houston’s 7-0 win over Texas on Thursday was just its first at home in its last nine games. The Astros are 7-21 in their last 28 at Minute Maid Park and own both the worst home record and worst overall record in baseball. Second baseman Jeff Keppinger missed Thursday’s game due to illness and left fielder Jason Bourgeois was placed on the disabled list with a quad injury. Houston recalled David Carpenter from Oklahoma City and optioned catcher Brian Esposito to its Triple-A club. Wandy Rodriguez led the Astros to the shutout on Thursday. Rodriguez was also on the mound for Houston’s last shutout (June 18).
ABOUT THE RED SOX (46-34): Boston designated Mike Cameron for assignment before Thursday’s game. Cameron not only was struggling mightily from the plate, hitting .149, but had misplayed a couple of balls in the outfield recently. In Thursday’s 5-2 win at Philadelphia, the Red Sox got an unlikely pair of home runs from Jason Varitek. Boston did not score until starter Cole Hamels left the game with a hand injury after four innings. When Hamels went to the sideline, Boston scored immediately against the Phillies’ bullpen. Boston scored just once against Cliff Lee and Vance Worley in the previous two games.
FINAL PITCH: Boston’s Kevin Youkilis missed Thursday’s game with a left ankle injury and is listed as day-to-day. Boston recalled infielder Yamaico Navarro before the contest.