Game No. 84 Preview: Houston Astros at Boston Red Sox

Houston Astros (45-35) at Boston Red Sox (38-45), Jul 5, 2015 12:35 PM CDT

TV: Roots Sports SW, MLB.TV 
Radio: KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM
Red Sox SBNation Blog: Over the Monster

Pitching matchup

RHP Lance McCullers (4-2, 2.19 ERA, 1.01 WHIP) vs. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-2, 3.92 ERA, 1.11 WHIP)

Preview

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times in Boston thus far the Astros. In that order. The Astros took home an extra-inning win on Friday and were dominated by Clay Buchholz on Saturday. Now it's Lance McCullers turn to take the ball for the Astros in the rubber game.

The places the Astros will go if Lance McCullers can pitch like this for the rest of the season. He has allowed one run or less in six of his nine starts thus far in the majors. McCullers has given up just two runs over his last 13 innings. McCullers is 3-0 with a 1.20 ERA at Minute Maid Park, but he is 1-2 with a 3.47 ERA in four road starts this season.

It's the matchup of two rookies on Sunday as Eduardo Rodriguez takes the ball for the Red Sox. He has had a problem tipping pitches but he appears to have corrected the issue. He allowed just one run against the high-powered Blue Jays offense in his last start in six innings.Rodriguez has been lights out on the road, posting a 0.69 ERA in four starts. But he has a 9.39 ERA in three starts at Fenway Park.

We have one pitcher who has struggle on the road, pitching on the road. The other pitching at home at Fenway, a place he has struggled thus far. Which trend will win out?

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