Astros test new formula as Espada mixes the pieces

Astros Carlos Correa
Carlos Correa is back!. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images.

The Houston Astros kick off a pivotal weekend series against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night at Fenway Park — and they'll do so with a familiar face back in the lineup. Carlos Correa, reacquired in a stunning trade deadline move on Thursday, is set to make his return to the Astros and will hit cleanup in his first game back with the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2012.

Correa rejoins a Houston club that sits atop the AL West at 62-47 and is coming off a resounding 9-1 win over Washington on Wednesday, fueled by Jose Altuve’s four-hit performance. The Astros are 27-23 on the road and enter Friday with the fourth-best on-base percentage in the American League (.321).

The Red Sox, meanwhile, have won six of their last 10 games and hold a 34-21 record at home. Boston enters the weekend third in the competitive AL East at 59-51. Outfielder Jarren Duran has been a spark plug, hitting .265 with 29 doubles and 12 triples on the year.

Houston will send right-hander Hunter Brown (9-5) to the mound, while Boston will counter with RHP Cooper Criswell (1-0).

Friday marks the first meeting of the season between these two clubs.

All eyes will be on Correa’s return in a stadium where he’s delivered countless postseason moments. Now, he begins the next chapter of his Astros career, joining a team counting on him to help fuel their playoff push.

Starting lineup

So how will Joe Espada deploy his new toys? Pena is back at shortstop and leading off, with Altuve hitting second and serving as the DH. Jesus Sanchez gets his first Astros, start hitting third, and playing left field. Correa begins his Astros reunion hitting fourth and playing third base.

 

Yainer Diaz (C) will hit fifth, followed by Christian Walker (1B), and Taylor Trammell (CF). It's interesting to see Cam Smith hitting so far down the lineup at eighth. He'll play right field and finally, Mauricio Dubon will hit ninth and play second base.

Betting odds

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -134, Red Sox +113; over/under is 8 runs


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The Astros added an important bat to the outfield. Photo via: Wiki Commons.

The Astros clearly aren't done making moves. After reportedly trading for Carlos Correa, the Astros front office has turned their attention to the outfield.

According to multiple reports, the Astros have traded RHP Ryan Gusto to the Marlins for outfielder Jesus Sanchez.

 

Sanchez has primarily played right field for Miami this season, but he's also made starts in left and center field.

Houston GM Dana Brown has been very open about the team's need for another left-handed bat, and now they have their man.

Sanchez (age 27) is slashing .256/.320/.420 this season with an OPS of .740 and 10 dingers.

He will be a free agent in 2028, so this isn't a rental for Astros GM Dana Brown.

According to reports, the Astros are trading away Gusto, RHP Chase Jaworsky, and OF Esmil Valencia in exchange for Sanchez.

 

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