Boston @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 6, 2013 ) Boston 15, Houston 10

The Boston Red Sox were beaten by small ball at the start of their road trip but unleashed their league-leading offense in order to stay in first place. The Red Sox attempt to build on a 15-run outburst when they visit the Houston Astros for the rubber match of their three-game set on Wednesday. Boston was shut out in the series opener but increased its lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East to 1 1/2 games with Tuesday’s 15-10 triumph.

The victory was the 69th of the season for the Red Sox, who totaled that amount in a disastrous 2012 campaign. A big difference between the two seasons is the health of Jacoby Ellsbury, who homered twice on Tuesday, and David Ortiz, who went 4-for-4. The Astros own the worst record in the AL but continue to show promise with their deep crop of rookies.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Ryan Dempster (6-8, 4.54 ERA) vs. Astros RH Jarred Cosart (1-0, 0.96)

Dempster is coming off one of his worst starts since joining Boston, a six-inning effort against Seattle in which he was charged with seven runs and nine hits. The veteran right-hander owns a 7.20 ERA and a .330 batting average against in his last four outings. Dempster matched a season high with 10 strikeouts in six innings to earn a win over Houston on April 26.

Cosart has yet to allow more than one earned run through four major-league starts. The 23-year-old surrendered a run on five hits in seven innings at Minnesota last week but did not figure in the decision. Cosart’s lone issue is control, with 12 walks against 11 strikeouts in 28 total innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox LF Jonny Gomes hit his fourth homer of the season as a pinch-hitter on Tuesday, one shy of tying the franchise record.

2. Houston rookie SS Jonathan Villar left in the fifth inning on Tuesday with a sprained left thumb.

3. Boston RF Shane Victorino has recorded multiple hits in six of his last eight games.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Astros 4