Houston @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 26, 2013 ) Houston 3, Boston 7

The Boston Red Sox have a chance at compiling the best April record in their long and storied history, which would be a remarkable achievement on the heels of their worst season in 48 years. If the Red Sox win their final three games of the month - beginning with Saturday's home contest against the Houston Astros, they will accomplish the feat. Boston has taken the first two games of the series, including a 7-3 decision Friday for its fourth win in its last five games.

The Red Sox are getting contributions from everywhere, including their backup catcher. David Ross hit two home runs Friday and had four of Boston's 17 hits. Ryan Dempster won his first game in a Red Sox uniform to complement an already strong starting rotation as Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester and Felix Doubront are a combined 11-0. Saturday's starters - Doubront and Houston's Brad Peacock - have never faced the opposition. The Astros have lost seven straight road games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Houston, New England Sports Network (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Brad Peacock (1-2, 7.50 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Felix Doubront (2-0, 4.32)

Peacock was rocked for seven runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings in Houston's 7-1 loss to Seattle on Monday. The 25-year-old Palm Beach, Fla., native was in a tough spot going up against the Mariners' Felix Hernandez, who earned his 100th career victory. Peacock has made four starts - two against Seattle and two versus Oakland, with his victory coming against the Mariners on April 10. Shane Victorino (0-for-3) is the only Boston player Peacock has faced.

Doubront has won his last two starts and threw a career-high 113 pitches in 6 2/3 innings in a 9-6 victory over Oakland on Monday. The 25-year-old Venezuelan threw 31 in the fifth inning while battling his mechanics, but escaped by allowing only one of the three runs he allowed. Doubront has walked nine in his last two outings, including five against the Athletics. He has 21 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings this season. Doubront has struck out Carlos Pena five times in eight at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston's Mike Napoli on Friday set team records for doubles (13) and extra-base hits (18) in April, while Jacoby Ellsbury stole his 11th base, also a team record for April.

2. Houston, which has never won at Fenway Park (0-5), struck out 14 times Friday and leads the majors with 232 through 23 games.

3. Boston increased its franchise record of consecutive days in first place to start a season to 27. The 1918 Red Sox held the previous mark of 25.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Astros 2