Houston Astros Set Pitching Rotation for Boston Red Sox Series

The Houston Astros will host the Boston Red Sox for a four-game series at Minute Maid Park starting on Monday.

The Houston Astros have set their pitching probables for their four-games series with the Boston Red Sox, which starts on Monday at Minute Maid Park.

The first three games of the series are set for 7:10 p.m. central, while Thursday’s finale is set for 1:10 p.m.

The Astros will turn to Cristian Javier (8-2, 4.49) on Monday. He is coming off a no-decision against Miami on Tuesday in which he threw 4.2 innings, giving up six hits, four earned runs and a walk while striking out two. The Astros would love to see him lower his ERA. He has a 6.37 ERA in his last seven starts, during which he’s 1-1.

The Red Sox are set to pitch James Paxton (7-3, 3.44). The left-hander was handed a no-decision against Washington on Wednesday, going six innings and allowing five hits, two earned runs and a walk. He struck out three. He’s 3-2 with a 4.41 ERA in his last seven starts.

Justin Verlander (8-6, 3.36) is set to start Tuesday’s game, with the Red Sox’s starter to be announced.

Verlander claimed a victory in his last start against Miami on Wednesday, going five innings and allowing nine hits and four earned runs. He struck out two and walked two. He’s won his last two starts with the Astros and is 3-1 with a 1.85 ERA in his last seven starts.

José Urquidy (2-3, 5.21) will start on Wednesday. The right-hander — who missed three months due to an injury — will be making just his eighth start this season. He last pitched on Friday out of the bullpen, going two innings and allowing two hits. He struck out three. His last start was on Aug. 13 against the Los Angeles Angels, as he went five innings, giving up three hits, one run and no walks. He struck out seven.

Chris Sale (5-3, 4.50) is set to start for Boston. He went 4.1 innings in his last start against Washington on Thursday, giving up two hits, two earned runs and three walks. He also struck out three. He’s 3-1 with a 2.79 ERA in his last seven starts.

The Astros’ J.P. France (9-4, 2.75) is set to start Thursday’s finale, and he is coming off a loss to Seattle on Friday, but he went six innings, giving up seven hits, two earned runs and a walk. He struck out seven. He’s 5-1 with a 1.94 ERA in his last seven games (six starts).

France will face Brayan Bello (9-7, 3.70), who is coming off a win over the New York Yankees on Friday. He threw six innings, giving up six hits, one earned run and one walk. He struck out four. He is 3-2 with a 5.03 ERA in his last seven starts.

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