Boston @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 5, 2013 ) Boston 0, Houston 2

The Boston Red Sox figured to ease into their 10-game road trip against the American League-worst Houston Astros but instead were shut out. The Red Sox attempt to bounce back and even the series when they visit the Astros again on Tuesday. Monday’s 2-0 setback trimmed Boston’s lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East to one-half game.

The Astros are breaking in a slew of rookies and surprised the Red Sox with small ball, bunting and stealing their way to the win. Boston entered the series with wins in seven of its previous nine but is enduring a stretch that has it playing 16 of 19 on the road. The Red Sox are monitoring not only the Rays but also the Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers in the tightening wild-card race.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), CSN (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Steven Wright (2-0, 3.65 ERA) vs. Astros RH Jordan Lyles (4-5, 4.91)

Wright will make his first career start as Boston gives the entire rotation an extra day of rest. The 28-year-old knuckleball specialist has been brilliant in his last two long relief appearances, allowing a total of two hits in 8 2/3 scoreless innings. Both of those appearances came against the Seattle Mariners, as Wright never has faced a team outside of the AL West in three career games.

Lyles is 0-4 with a 7.61 ERA in his last seven starts, and opposing hitters have posted a .335 batting average in that span. The 22-year-old was knocked around for five runs (three earned) on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings of a loss at Baltimore on Thursday. Lyles faced Boston once during his 2011 rookie campaign, allowing an unearned over five frames without factoring in the decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox RHP Clay Buchholz, who has not made a start since June 8, is scheduled to throw off a mound Tuesday for the first time since before the All-Star break.

2. Houston SS Jonathan Villar is 9-for-11 on stolen-base attempts in 14 career games.

3. Boston has taken four of five in the season series.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Astros 5