Boston Red Sox v. Houston Astros
Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
The Red Sox hit the road for an 11 game road that begins with a three game series against the Houston Astros.
A perennial contender since the late 1990's, the Astros have fallen on hard times the past few season. Houston (35-44) is currently in last place in the National Central, 18 games behind the Chicago Cubs (53-26). Since qualifying for the playoffs in 2005 and advancing to the World Series, Houston has regressed as their core has gotten older or left.
The Astros enter the series against Boston with three starters on the disabled list. Carlos Lee is expected to miss the rest of the season with a ruptured hamstring. He is joined by Lance Berkman (fratured ribs) and Hunter Pence (damanged meniscus), both who are unlikely to make appearance against the Red Sox.
The big problem for Houston, though, appears to be their lack of major league quality pitching. Led by Roy Oswalt (6-7, 4.09 ERA) and Jose Valverde (2-2, 17 svs., 4.62 ERA), the Houston pitching staff ranks 15th in the National League in ERA (4.97). With the exception of Oswalt, no Houston starter has an ERA under 4.30. The bullpen doesn't fare much better. Collectively, their ERA is 5.15, second to last in the entire league (Toronto is next best at 4.81 while San Francisco is last at 5.48). The Red Sox, on the other hand, have the second best bullpen (2.71 ERA) in baseball, trailing only the Chicago Cubs (2.48)
Offensively, without their big three, the Astros have struggled. Miguel Tejada, counted on to pickup the slack in Berkman's absence, is batting .267 against right-handers this season with 9 home runs in 75 games.
The bright spot has been the play of youngster Michael Bourn and veteran Ty Wiggington. Pressed into service with the injury to Berkman, Wiggington leads the team with a .322 average to go along with 16 HRs and 43 RBIs. Bourn has shown himself capable of holding down the everyday centerfield spot in his first season with the club. In 70 games, Bourn is batting .308 (.327 v. rhp., .209 v. lhp). But, with players like Jose Cruz Jr. (.202/.247/.371) and David Newhan (.246/.286/.421) figuring prominently into the equation, Houston does not look like a playoff contender this season.
The Red Sox will play the series without Coco Crisp, who is recovering from concussion like symptoms have a collision in the game against Arizona. The Red Sox are unlikely to make a roster move, as Jacoby Ellsbury will step into the starting lineup in centerfield.
Pitching Matchup:
6/27: Josh Beckett (5-4, 4.38 ERA) v. Roy Oswalt (6-7, 4.09)
6/28: Daisuke Matsuzaka (10-4, 3.53) v. Bud Norrs (0-1, 36.00)
6/29: Tim Wakefield (9-4, 3.64) v. Wandy Rodriguez (7-8, 4.31)