Right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito is set to take the mound for the Boston Red Sox as they aim to complete a three-game series sweep against the Houston Astros on Sunday. Originally, Dustin May, recently acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers, was slated to start, but his debut has been rescheduled to Wednesday when the Red Sox will close out a series against Kansas City. Manager Alex Cora decided to move May back in order to keep Giolito’s routine intact. Giolito holds a 7-2 record with a 3.80 ERA this season, though he has struggled historically against the Astros, with a 2-6 record and 5.94 ERA in nine starts against them.
Manager Cora discussed the decision, explaining, “I talked to Lucas about Sunday. It was either him pitching Sunday or May… It was going to be a lot of days in-between starts and Gio didn’t like that.” Cora emphasized that it was important to keep Giolito comfortable and in rhythm.
For Houston, left-hander Framber Valdez will take the mound. Valdez has been impressive this season with an 11-4 record and a 2.62 ERA. He has also performed well against the Red Sox, boasting a 3-1 record and a 1.96 ERA in five career games against them.
The Red Sox won the previous two games in the series, defeating the Astros 2-1 in 10 innings on Friday, followed by a 7-3 victory on Saturday. Houston has struggled recently, losing seven of their last nine games. Despite securing an early 2-0 lead in Saturday’s game, the Astros were unable to capitalize on their opportunities, going just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and leaving 14 runners on base.
Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena returned to action from the injured list on Friday but left the game with a cramp. He is expected to be back in the lineup for Sunday’s game.
The Red Sox’s offensive resilience has been a key factor in their recent successes. After falling behind early, the team showcased their determination to come back, demonstrating a strong belief in their capabilities as Trevor Story noted, “We just feel like we’re not out of any game and that’s a great feeling to have.”
This game represents a crucial opportunity for both teams: Boston looks to strengthen its position with three consecutive wins, while Houston aims to break out of its slump and reclaim its competitiveness.