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Houston at Boston, 12:35 PM CT
TV: CSN Houston
Radio: KBME 790 AM
Red Sox SBNation Blog: Over the Monster
RHP Bud Norris (3-2 / 4.13 ERA / 1.56 WHIP) vs. RHP John Lackey (0-1 / 4.15 ERA / 1.38 WHIP)
Preview
The disturbing trends of Astros pitchers failing to even get out of the fifth inning continues. Brad Peacock lasted only 3.1 innings, and Houston was a dismal 1-12 with runners in scoring position. With the coming of the new day the rotation turns over, Bud Norris takes the mound. Norris faces John Lackey.
Pitchers
Bud Norris hopes to buck his continued trend of poor starts on the road. Norris' current road ERA is 7.04 after two starts, up from his 2012 road 6.94 ERA. This will be Norris' firs career start in Boston. John Lackey is making his first start after 20 days on the DL; Lackey pitched 3.2 scoreless innings in a rehab start in AA Portland. Lackey dropped 12-15 pounds in the offseason and appears to have found his stride in Boston before straining his right biceps. Lackey throws threw pitches for strikes, fastball, curveball, and slider. The Astros appears to be the perfect team for Lackey to get back to major league form against.
Hitters
Shocking that Ronny Cedeno at DH failed to bear any fruit. Matt Dominguez and Marwin Gonzalez getting on base regularly through out the series has been a bright spot. The Astros will need to improve upon hitting with runners on. Boston has 40 hits through the first three games, nothing to point out except everything is clicking.
