BOSTON — Heading into the season, there were many who figured the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros would win their respective divisions.
But as the teams open a three-game series in Houston on Friday night, the Red Sox are 7-8, while the last-place Astros were 5-10 heading into Thursday night’s game against the Texas Rangers.
With their bullpen tired, the Red Sox haven’t even named a starter for Sunday, with Joe Kelly on the disabled list. Left-hander Henry Owens is a possibility.
But after allowing 12 runs on 15 hits on Thursday, manager John Farrell needs a big effort from knuckleballer Steven Wright when he faces Colin McHugh in the series opener on Friday.
Friday’s debacle ballooned the Red Sox’ team ERA to 4.84, but Clay Buchholz, who will work the middle game of the Houston series Saturday, is coming off his best start of the young season after tossing 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a no-decision Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays.
After Houston, the Red Sox begin their four-game, home-and-home set with the Atlanta Braves — two in Atlanta and then two at Fenway before the first visit of the season by the New York Yankees.