Another high-wire night could be in store for Astros and Red Sox
WALKING THE TIGHTROPE
12 August
WALKING THE TIGHTROPE
The Astros look to keep their momentum rolling at home Tuesday night as they continue their series with the Boston Red Sox in a matchup that carries weight in both leagues’ playoff races. Houston has quietly built a three-game win streak at Daikin Park, finding ways to win tight games and generate timely offense. They’ll aim to make it four behind rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, who’s still searching for consistent rhythm at the big-league level but will have the crowd at his back.
Arrighetti (1-2, 7.43 ERA) draws a challenge in a Boston lineup that’s had the upper hand in the season series, winning three of four meetings so far. The Red Sox counter with right-hander Dustin May, whose results have been streaky but who has shown flashes of dominance when his command is on.
Houston’s offense once again leans on Jose Altuve, who has 21 home runs and 63 RBIs, while Christian Walker has heated up with extra-base power over the last 10 games. For Boston, Trevor Story leads the charge with 73 RBIs, and Romy Gonzalez has been one of the American League’s hottest hitters in August.
The Astros’ winning formula this season has been simple — keep the ball in the yard. They’re 31-7 in games where they haven’t allowed a home run. The Red Sox follow their own blueprint, becoming almost impossible to beat when their bats come alive, posting a 42-12 record when scoring five or more runs.
With Houston clinging to a slim AL West lead (1 game) and Boston looking to keep pace in the AL East, Tuesday’s contest has all the makings of another charged night under the lights, where every pitch could shift the October picture.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -117, Red Sox -103; over/under is 8 1/2 runs.
Injury updates and roster moves
Astros closer Josh Hader is heading to the 15-day IL with a left shoulder strain. RHP Shawn Dubin has been reinstated from the 15-day IL. LHP Colton Gordon has been recalled from Triple A and RHP Hector Neris has been designated for assignment.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/GFi4o7UKnp
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 12, 2025
MLB.com's Brian McTaggart shared some more updates in the post below
Some updates from Espada:
- No word on the severity of Hader’s injury.
- Garcia will start in Sugar Land tomorrow and McCullers on Friday.
- Alvarez hit on the field today in Florida today and could take live BP this weekend.
- Meyers is getting close to getting into games…
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 12, 2025
Astros lineup takeaways
Super lineup.
⚾️: 7:10pm
🏟️: Closed
📺: @SpaceCityHN | SCHN2
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#BuiltForThis x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/JCIUuNCavx
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 12, 2025
The top 3 in the lineup remains the same, with Pena (SS) leading off, followed by Correa (3B), and Altuve (DH). Jesus Sanchez will hit cleanup and play right field, with Christian Walker now in the 5-spot playing first base. Yainer Diaz will hit sixth and catch, with Taylor Trammell batting seventh and playing left. Ramon Urias (2B) is back in the lineup after a huge game on Monday night, he'll hit eighth. Finally, Jacob Melton returns hitting ninth and playing center field.
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*ChatGPT assisted.
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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.