While the Sox raided the bargain bin, their opponent for Friday’s game at Fenway Park took a different approach, as the Astros brought Carlos Correa back into the fold. The infielder began his career in Houston in 2015, playing shortstop and winning a World Series in 2017 before signing with the Twins after the 2021 season.
He will play third base this time around, with his replacement at short, Rhode Island native Jeremy Peña, closing in on a return from the injured list (ribs).
The Astros also acquired infielder Ramón Urías from the Orioles and outfielder Jesús Sánchez from the Marlins.
Fans hoping to see Garrett Crochet are out of luck. The Sox decided to push the ace back from his scheduled start to early next week. They have not named a starter for Friday’s game.
2:36 p.m.: Cooper Criswell will start for the Sox. The team also activated Matz and optioned lefthander Brennan Bernardino to Triple A Worcester.
The Astros are set to send Hunter Brown to the mound.
Having sat out Wednesday’s 13-1 thrashing of the Twins ahead of Thursday’s day off, Alex Bregman, who won two world Series with Houston, should be well-rested as he faces his former team for the first time.
Here is a preview.
ASTROS (62-47): Peña SS, Altuve DH, Sanchez LF, Correa 3B, Diaz C, Walker 1B, Trammell CF, Smith RF, Dubon 2B
Pitching: RHP Hunter Brown (9-5, 2.54 ERA)
RED SOX (59-51): Anthony LF, Bregman 3B, Duran CF, Toro 1B, Story SS, Yoshida DH, Narváez C, Abreu RF, Rafaela 2B
Pitching: RHP Cooper Criswell (1-0, 5.06)
Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV, radio: Apple TV, WEEI-FM 93.7
Astros vs. Criswell: Victor Caratini 0-2, Yainer Diaz 1-1, Maurcio Dubon 1-2, Chas McCormick 0-2
Red Sox vs. Brown: Wilyer Abreu 0-2, Jarren Duran 0-2, David Hamilton 1-2, Ceddanne Rafaela 2-2, Abraham Toro 1-3, Connor Wong 1-2, Masataka Yoshida 0-2
Stat of the day: Jarren Duran batted .317 with five home runs, three triples, nine doubles and 21 RBIs in 23 games in July.
Notes: Walker Buehler will start against Houston on Saturday, Lucas Giolito on Sunday. … Jose Altuve hit .363 (33 for 91) during July with seven doubles, five homers and 21 RBIs in 24 games. … In four games as the leadoff hitter, Roman Anthony has reached base 10 times in 19 plate appearances. … The Red Sox are 30-17 with a +57 run differential in their last 47 games, since June 4. … Brown allowed two runs on five hits in 5⅓ innings in his only appearance against the Red Sox, which came in August 2024. … The Red Sox went 17-7 in July, tied with the Brewers for MLB’s best record for the month. … The Astros went 12-13 in July, the only month they were below .500 this season.
Follow Andrew Mahoney @GlobeMahoney.
