The Astros came into their 3-game series against the Boston Red Sox, 3 games behind the first-place team in the AL West. After a series that saw the return of some old faces and history being made, the Astros are now in first place in the AL West ahead of the Seattle Mariners.
Game 1, Astros defeat Red Sox 13-5
The Red Sox got off to an early two-run lead after Christian Javier loaded the bases and gave up a double to right field in the 1st inning. Javier had a rough night as he managed to stack the bases twice against the Red Sox. Luckily a great defensive play by Yordan Alvarez in left field against the Green Monster got Javier out of the jam the second time around. In the top of the 6th, the tide turned in favor of the Astros. Which saw stalwart Jose Altuve open the floodgates by hitting a two-RBI triple off the Green Monster. Alvarez continued the bleeding with a three-run bomb out of Fenway Park. Ultimately, the Astros took advantage of Kyle Barraclough in the top of the 6th; who gave up six runs, one home run, and three walks in one inning. To end the scoring party Altuve hit a home run in the top of the 8th inning to be the first Astros player to hit for the cycle in 10 years and seal the win.
Game 2, Astros defeat Red Sox 6-2
Houston looked to capitalize on their last win early in game two of the series, with back-to-back home runs by Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez in the 1st inning. Rookie starting pitcher J.P. France sought revenge against the Red Sox for the 10-run drubbing they issued him in the previous series. France showed up in a big way by only allowing five hits and two runs in five and two-thirds innings of work. Game two became the 10th win of the season for France, which is the most by a rookie in their first 20 starts for the Astros. This game also saw the return of fan-favorite Michael Brantley, who has been recovering from a right shoulder injury. In Brantley’s first piece of action since June 2022, he went 0-4 batting sixth in the lineup as the DH. With the return of Uncle Mike, the Astros sent rookie OF Corey Julks back down to Tripple-A in Sugar Land.
Game 3, Astros defeat Red Sox 7-4
Led by star starting pitcher Framber Valdez the Astros were in control of the series finale with the Red Sox from the beginning. Valdez threw five shutout innings to help the Astros lead the Red Sox 7-0 going into the 6th inning. A big part of the early seven-run lead the Astros had was Jeremy Pena who went 2-4, with two runs batted in. Martin Maldonado and Michael Brantley also helped do some damage with two hits apiece. Game three of the series also saw RHP Kendall Graveman leave the game early with lower back discomfort. Graveman has been an integral part of the bullpen this year since coming to Houston in a trade earlier this season. Hopefully, Graveman has a quick recovery time, because he will be a big part of the Astros run to the postseason.
Journey to the Playoffs
For the first time this season, the Astros’ batting lineup is at full force. In a season that has seen Altuve, Brantley, and Alvarez be out for extended periods of time due to injury. With a series sweep of the Boston Red Sox, the Hoston Astros sit tied for first place in the AL West division. The Astros will play 15 of their last 27 games this season at home and hope to capitalize on home-field advantage by taking sole ownership of first place in the AL West.
