Boston @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 28, 2013 ) Houston 1, Boston 6

The Boston Red Sox are armed with the best record in the American League and attempt to pad their slim lead in the East when the visit the AL-worst Houston Astros as they begin a 10-game road trip on Monday. The Red Sox have won seven of nine but own only a one-game division lead over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Astros have dropped four in a row and are 3-13 since the All-Star break.

Boston swept a four-game series against Houston at home in April while outscoring the Astros 28-10 and is averaging six runs over its last six games. The Red Sox, who are 29-24 on the road, visit the Astros, Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays on their trek. Houston keeps inserting new young talent into its lineup and has rookies Jonathan Villar and L.J. Hoes getting their feet wet as the newest members of the team.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH John Lackey (7-8, 3.23 ERA) vs. Astros LH Brett Oberholtzer (1-0, 3.77)

Lackey is winless in three straight starts, including an outing against Seattle on Wednesday in which he surrendered three runs on eight hits in seven frames. The veteran right-hander had gone 4-1 over six straight quality starts before his recent skid. Lackey beat Houston at home on April 28, yielding one run and five hits in six innings.

Oberholtzer made his rotation debut Wednesday and dominated at Baltimore, striking out six and not walking a batter while allowing three hits in seven scoreless innings. The 24-year-old came over from the Atlanta Braves as part of the Michael Bourn trade at the 2011 deadline and had made three appearances in long relief over two previous stints before being recalled to make the start last week. Oberholtzer has yet to walk a batter in 14 1/3 major-league innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox RHP Steven Wright will make his first major-league start on Tuesday as the entire rotation gets an extra day of rest.

2. Houston 3B Matt Dominguez is 9-for-22 with a pair of doubles and a home run in his last five games.

3. Boston OF Daniel Nava is expected to miss the series while on paternity leave. RHP Brandon Workman will take his roster spot.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Astros 3