Runs in short supply for Red Sox ahead of series finale against Astros

The Houston Astros will seek a three-game sweep when they host the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday afternoon.

The Astros, who have outscored the Red Sox 17-3 in the first two games of the series (8-1 and 9-2 victories), have won four games in a row since an 0-2 start and have scored at least eight runs in each of the four wins.

Houston received solo home runs from Yordan Alvarez and Cam Smith in Tuesday's triumph. The Astros collected 11 hits, and Cody Bolton struck out five over the final three innings to earn his first career save.

"Those three innings of work, five punchies, saves our bullpen," Houston manager Joe Espada said. "An opportunity (Wednesday) to go back in there and sweep the Red Sox with a fresh bullpen and Mike Burrows on the mound. That's great stuff."

Burrows (0-1, 7.94 ERA), acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a trade in December, is scheduled to make his second start for the Astros. The right-hander took the loss in his debut with Houston, a 6-2 setback against the Los Angeles Angels last Friday. He allowed five runs on nine hits, struck out six and walked two in 5 2/3 innings. Two of those hits were home runs.

"I fell behind a bunch, more than I would have liked to," Burrows said following the loss. "But I think overall there was a lot of executed pitches and a lot to build off."

Burrows was 2-4 with a 3.94 ERA in 23 appearances (19 starts) in 2025, his rookie season. He has faced the Red Sox once, giving up one run on five hits in two relief innings.

Left-hander Garrett Crochet (1-0, 0.00) is scheduled to start for Boston. Crochet pitched six scoreless innings to help the Red Sox defeat Cincinnati 3-0 on Opening Day. He surrendered three hits, walked two and struck out eight. Boston has lost four in a row since then.

Crochet hasn't had much success against the Astros during his career. He's 0-3 with a 6.28 ERA in four games (three starts) vs. them. Houston has scored 10 runs on 22 hits in 14 1/3 innings against Crochet, who has 22 strikeouts in those contests.

Boston hasn't been giving its pitchers much offensive support. The Red Sox have eight hits in the first two games of the series -- four in each game -- and have 13 runs in their five games this season. Boston has struck out 54 times.

"We just have to be better," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.

Boston struck out 13 times in the Tuesday loss. Leadoff hitter Roman Anthony fanned in each of his four at-bats. His first three strikeouts came on nine pitches.

"I'm not worried," Cora, the Astros' bench coach in 2017, said about Anthony. "I've been in this building before, and supposedly it's a good place to hit. Sometimes you don't pick up the ball, especially early for some reason up there. I'm not saying that's the case. I haven't talked to him. I avoid a lot of conversations in the dugout because they're in the middle of the battle. We'll sit down and talk and people will talk to him and see where we're at."

--Field Level Media