Red Sox open series with Astros, recall right-handed reliever from Triple-A Worcester

Image courtesy of The Boston Globe

After splitting a four-game series with the Orioles, the Red Sox will travel to Houston for a three-game series with the Astros, starting on Monday night at Minute Maid Park.

The Astros swept the Red Sox earlier this month during a weekend series at Fenway Park. Boston will turn to Tanner Houck on Monday night in the series opener, followed by Nick Pivetta on Tuesday and Cooper Criswell on Wednesday in the series finale.

Houck has pitched in four games against the Astros in his career, two of them starts. The righty is 0-1 with a 2.63 ERA with four strikeouts and six walks. He’s given up four earned runs off right hits in those outings. Houck last pitched against Houston on Aug. 9, allowing just one earned run over six frames, giving up four hits while walking three and striking out two batters.

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Prior to the game, Boston optioned left-handed pitcher Bailey Horn to Triple-A Worcester while recalling right-handed pitcher Greg Weissert.

Horn, who made his major league debut this season, has recorded a 6.48 ERA in 14 games (16 2/3 innings) out of the Red Sox bullpen. The Texas native has pitched well while in Worcester, owning a 1.74 ERA with 23 strikeouts and holding opponents to a .169 batting average this season.

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Weissert has pitched in four games with the WooSox this season, pitching to a 1.50 ERA while striking out seven and walking two batters. While with the Red Sox, Alex Cora has utilized Weissert 45 times this season, owning a 4.24 ERA with four holds and one save. He’s also struck out 47 batters while walking 17 in 46 2/3 innings.

Red Sox vs. Kikuchi: Triston Casas 0-0, Rafael Devers 3-15, Jarren Duran 0-3, Romy González 2-4, David Hamilton 0-2, Danny Jansen 0-3, Tyler O’Neill 2-2, Ceddanne Rafaela 1-2, Rob Refsnyder 3-8, Connor Wong 3-6, Masataka Yoshida 2-4.

Red Sox (65-58) lineup vs. the Astros (67-56):

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1. Jarren Duran / CF

2. Tyler O’Neill / RF

3. Rob Refsnyder / LF

4. Rafael Devers / 3B

5. Romy Gonzalez / 2B

6. Danny Jansen / C

7. Triston Casas / 1B

8. Connor Wong / DH

9. Ceddanne Rafaela SS

SP: Tanner Houck / (8-8, 3.01 ERA)

The first pitch is at 8:10 p.m. and can be seen on NESN, FuboTV, or Sling, and it can be heard on WEEI 93.7 FM.