Astros at Red Sox | 7:10 p.m. (Apple TV)
Red Sox fans were hoping for a groundbreaking trade to bolster their playoff prospects but instead witnessed modest team enhancements. As the trade deadline loomed, the Red Sox opted for strategic, smaller transactions, bringing in starting pitcher Dustin May from the Dodgers and reliever Steven Matz from the Cardinals.
Meanwhile, the Astros took a more assertive approach at Fenway Park for Friday’s game, welcoming back Carlos Correa. Correa debuted with Houston in 2015, playing shortstop and earning a World Series title in 2017, before moving to the Twins in 2021. He now returns to fill the third-base slot as Jeremy Peña, a Rhode Island native, nears recovery from a rib injury.
The Astros also fortified their team by adding infielder Ramón Urías from the Orioles and outfielder Jesús Sánchez from the Marlins.
Starting the game for the Red Sox will be Cooper Criswell, with Matz installed and Brennan Bernardino sent to Triple-A Worcester. The Astros will challenge them with Hunter Brown on the mound.
ASTROS (62-47): - Pef1a SS, Altuve DH, Sánchez LF, Correa 3B, Díaz 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 ERA)
Game Time: - 7:10 p.m. - Broadcast: Apple TV, WEEI-FM 93.7
Astros vs. Criswell: - Victor Caratini 0-2, Yainer Díaz 1-1, Mauricio Dubón 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
Player Highlights: Jarren Duran showcased his prowess in July, hitting .317 with five homers, three triples, nine doubles, and 21 RBIs over 23 games.