After dropping their last three games, the Boston Red Sox are set to host the Houston Astros in the final game of their three-game set to try and avoid a sweep.
For the matchup, Boston will send James Paxton to the mound while Houston will counter with Hunter Brown.
Here's Alex Cora's lineup, which won't feature Rafael Devers, for the finale:
- Jarren Duran LF
- Enmanuel Valdez 2B
- Wilyer Abreu RF
- Masataka Yoshida DH
- Connor Wong C
- Dom Smith 1B
- Nick Sogard 3B
- Ceddanne Rafaela CF
- David Hamilton SS
And, here's Joe Espada's:
- Jose Altuve DH
- Alex Bregman 3B
- Yordan Alvarez LF
- Yainer Diaz C
- Jeremy Pena SS
- Zach Dezenzo 1B
- Jake Meyers CF
- Mauricio Dubon 2B
- Pedro Leon RF
Paxton has been all right throughout the 2024 season, posting a 4.42 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP while striking out 73 batters over 20 starts. He's made two starts for Boston since being traded, allowing eight runs (five earned) over 10 1/3 innings. Eight Astros have recorded hits against Paxton - Jose Altuve (12-for-37 with two home runs, three RBIs and six walks), Yordan Alvarez (1-for-7 with two RBIs and two walks), Alex Bregman (10-for-33 with two RBIs and three walks), Aledmys Diaz (5-for-11 with a home run and two RBIs), Yainer Diaz (1-for-3), Chas McCormick (1-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs), Jake Meyers (1-for-3) and Jeremy Pena (1-for-3).
Brown has been solid for Houston in his 23 appearances (22 starts), recording a 3.98N ERA and a 1.37 WHIP while striking out 130 batters. He's allowed two or fewer runs in four of his last five starts. Only one Red Sox has recorded a hit against Brown - Dominic Smith (1-for-3).
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