Game No. 159 Preview: Houston Astros at Boston Red Sox

Houston Astros (97-60) vs. Boston Red Sox (76-81), Sept. 28, 2017, 6:10 PM CT

TV: AT&T SportsNet-SW
Radio: KBME 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM
Online: MLB.TV
Red Sox SBNation Blog: Over the Monster

Pitching Matchup

RHP Brad Peacock (12-2, 2.98 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .292 BABIP, 3.63 xFIP) vs. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (6-6, 3.91 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, .291 BABIP, 4.23 xFIP)

Preview

The Houston Astros have one thing to play for four games in Boston. May two things. One, the Astros still have a slim but dwindling chance to catch the Cleveland Indians for the top record in the American League.

Two, if the Astros don’t catch the Indians, Houston will face the Red Sox in the opening round of the playoffs. So, a strong showing against Boston wouldn't hurt.

The Red Sox come into the Astros’ series having lost two of three against the Blue Jays but the team currently tied for their best winning percentage for any month in 2017 at .667 (16-8), tied with August (18-9).

The Red Sox send out lefty Eduardo Rodriguez in game one against the Astros. He is 2-1 with a 1.78 ERA in four starts during the month of September, allowing just five earned runs over 25 ¹⁄₃ innings.

In one career start against the Astros, he allowed one earned run over five innings in his rookie season in 2015.

Carlos Beltran leads the team with eight career at-bats against Rodriguez, he is 2-for-8 with a double. Brian McCann is 1-for-4 with two walks.

Brad Peacock can solidify a spot in the Astros playoff rotation with a strong start on Thursday. Peacock is 2-0 with a 2.35 ERA in four starts during the month of September, and he is 5-1 with a 3.31 ERA in 12 games (11 starts) since the All-Star Break.

Peacock is 0-2 with a 12.38 ERA in three career starts against the Red Sox. He hasn’t faced Boston since 2014.

Mich Moreland is 1-for-11 in his career against Peacock. Brock Holt is 2-for-4 with a home run.