Red Sox SP Tanner Houck looks to rebound in opener vs. Astros after rough starts

After a day off, the Boston Red Sox have returned to Fenway Park for the first of three games against the Houston Astros on Friday night.

For the matchup, Boston will send Tanner Houck to the mound while Houston will counter with Ronel Blanco.

Here's Alex Cora's lineup for the matchup:

1. Jarren Duran LF
2. Wilyer Abreu RF
3. Masataka Yoshida DH
4. Rafael Devers 3B
5. Connor Wong C
6. Dom Smith 1B
7. Nick Sogard 2B
8. Ceddanne Rafaela CF
9. David Hamilton SS

Houck has been great for the Red Sox this season, posting a 3.09 ERA (14th in baseball) and a 1.14 WHIP (29th) while striking out 123 batters in 22 starts. However, he's struggled since the All-Start break, allowing 14 runs (13 earned) in 17 innings of work. Five Astros have recorded hits off of him in his career - Jose Altuve (1-for-6 with a home run and two RBIs), Yordan Alvarez (1-for-1), Alex Bregman (1-for-4), Mauricio Dubon (1-for-1 with a walk) and Chas McCormick (1-for-5).

Blanco has been just as impressive for Houston in his 21 starts, recording a 2.98 ERA (eighth) and a 1.02 WHIP (11th) while striking out 121 batters. He hasn't allowed more than four earned runs in an outing this season. He's never faced any member of the Red Sox lineup.

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