Game 45 Thread: May 17th. 2019, 6:10 CDT. Astros vs. Red Sox

We all know what happened the last time the Astros played the Red Sox. In 2017 the Astros came out of the ALCS tasting the thrill of victory. In 2018 it was the bitter agony of defeat they experienced.

The Red Sox had the best record of any team in baseball for most of last year, but the dread World Series hangover virus seems to have stricken them, and now they are barely over .500, and in third place in the AL East. They are hot right now though, winning eight if their last ten games.

But not as hot as the Astros, who are on an eight game winning streak, have won nine of their last ten games, and have the best record in baseball. The team OPS for the last 14 days is a ridiculous 1.023. Six different Astros have OPS’s over 1.000 over that period.

Arguably the Astros’ best pitcher this year, although the record doesn’t reflect that, Gerrit Cole, takes the mound for the Astros tonight. He comes into the game with the lowest xFIP and the highest K% and strikeout total in the AL, although his record is only 4-4, with a 3.88 ERA. His Boston opponent, Rick Porcello, is having an off year, with a 3-3 record and 5.15 ERA.

For more on this game and the series go here.

Here is the lineup and media access information.