Another high-wire night could be in store for Astros and Red Sox

Astros Spencer Arrighetti, Christian Walker, Cam Smith
Spencer Arrighetti takes the mound against Boston in Game 2. Composite Getty Image.

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.

MLB.com's Brian McTaggart shared some more updates in the post below

Astros lineup takeaways

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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Astros set for electric homestand with familiar faces returning

He's officially back! Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.

The Astros kick off a thrilling homestand Monday night with a showdown that’s as much about star power as it is about the standings. Houston welcomes the Boston Red Sox for the first of a three-game series, but all eyes will be on two familiar faces stepping back into Daikin Park under wildly different yet equally electric circumstances.

Alex Bregman returns to Houston for the first time since joining the Red Sox, while Carlos Correa makes his much-anticipated debut in front of Astros fans since coming back home.

Correa’s reappearance in an Astros uniform still feels surreal. A year ago, the thought of him hitting in the heart of Houston’s order again seemed impossible. Now, paired once more with Jose Altuve, the Astros’ longtime shortstop is right back where he built his legacy, and perhaps even more dangerous than before.

Guess who else is returning?

There’s another reunion of sorts on the mound. Cristian Javier, who hasn’t pitched in a game this season, makes his long-awaited return, facing one of baseball’s hottest teams. Javier will have to contend with a Boston lineup powered by Wilyer Abreu’s 21 homers and the recent surge of Jarren Duran.

The Astros enter at 66-52, holding a slim lead atop the AL West and boasting the second-best batting average in the league at .258. Jeremy Peña continues to pace the lineup at .315, while Altuve has been scorching over the past 10 games, hitting .390 with four homers.

Boston, 65-54 and chasing the AL East crown, has been just as dangerous, riding a 7-3 stretch with a 3.10 ERA and plenty of timely hitting.

Monday’s opener pairs Javier against left-hander Garrett Crochet, who’s been one of baseball’s toughest arms this year with a 2.24 ERA and 183 strikeouts. With star power returning, playoff positioning at stake, and Correa back where he once ruled, this series could have October energy before the calendar even flips to September.

Astros vs. Crochet

Pena is leading off and playing shortstop, with Correa in the 2-hole and playing third base. Altuve will DH and hit third again, with Christian Walker batting cleanup and playing first base.

Yainer Diaz will catch Javier and hit fifth, followed by Ramon Urias (2B), Mauricio Dubon (LF), Chas McCormick (CF), and Cam Smith (RF).

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*ChatGPT assisted.

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