BOSTON RED SOX (7-8)

at HOUSTON ASTROS (5-11)

First pitch: Friday, 8:10 p.m. ET
Line: Boston +133, Houston -143, Total: 8.5

The struggling Astros kick off a three-game set against the Red Sox at Minute Maid Park.

The Astros (5-11) have gotten off to a brutal start in 2016. A playoff team last year, A.J. Hinch’s club has dropped four of its five series this season and was swept by the division-rival Rangers in Arlington this week. The Red Sox (7-8) have been better, but they’ve struggled out of the gate as well. Boston has dropped four of five and is currently in a three-way tie for second place in the American League East with the Blue Jays and Rays. On the mound for Houston on Friday will be RHP Collin McHugh (1-2, 6.39 ERA, 11 SO, 3 BB in 12 2/3 innings), who has been anything but sharp in his first three starts. He’ll be opposed by RHP Steven Wright (0-2, 2.13 ERA, 11 SO, 3 BB in 12 2/3 innings). Expect a high-scoring contest, as this game features the two worst pitching staffs in baseball (BOS – 4.84 ERA, 14th in AL; Hou – 4.99 ERA, 15th in AL). These clubs don’t have trouble scoring, though. The Astros have the sixth-most runs in the AL (61) and the Red Sox have the second-most (74). This will be the first meeting of the season between these two teams.

Leading the way for John Farrell’s team is 3B Travis Shaw (.340, 1 HR, 8 RBI, .411 OBP, 7 2B, 2 SB), who has had a scorching April. In the last season of his illustrious career, 40-year-old DH David Ortiz (.292, 3 HR, 13 RBI, .414 OBP, 8 2B) is proving that he’s still a dangerous middle-of-the-order bat. Veteran 2B Dustin Pedroia (.290, 1 HR, 5 RBI) and LF Brock Holt (.289, 2 HR, 9 RBI, .400 OBP, 2 2B) have been steady, but 1B Hanley Ramirez (.258, 1 HR, 7 RBI, .277 OBP) has cooled off considerably after a hot start. No one on the Sox has more than eight career at-bats against McHugh, and no hitters on the roster have ever homered off the 28-year-old right-hander. SS Xander Bogaerts (.262, 1 HR, 8 HR) has solid numbers off him, going 3-for-8 with a a double and three RBIs, as does Holt (3-for-8 with 2 BB). CF Jackie Bradley Jr. (.239, 0 HR, 4 RBI, .294 OBP) is 2-for-2 against McHugh with a walk. Ortiz is 0-for-7 against him.

The Astros can beat you in a number of ways. They score by virtue of the long ball, evidenced by their 24 home runs (2nd in AL). They can also generate offense with their legs (15 SB – 1st in AL). Houston’s best offensive player on this young season has been rookie 1B Tyler White (.315, 5 HR, 12 RBI, .377 OBP, 4 2B). 2B Jose Altuve (.311, 5 HR, 10 RBI, .417 OBP, 5 2B, 7 SB) and LF Colby Rasmus (.311, 5 HR, 11 RBI, .467 OBP) have also looked terrific at the plate. SS Carlos Correa (.268, 3 HR, 7 RBI) hasn’t quite found his rhythm yet this season, but he remains one of the most talented players in baseball. The Astros are still waiting for two-time All-Star Carlos Gomez (.189, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .218 OBP) to wake up and contribute with his dynamic blend of power and speed. Wright has only made 13 career starts (28 appearances overall), so the Astros are very unfamiliar with him. Only Altuve (1-for-3 with 2 SO) has more than one at-bat against him. C Jason Castro (.132, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .214 OBP) had a base hit in his lone AB against Wright.