After going 1-2 against the Toronto Blue Jays, the so-called “Chad Sox” sit at .500 four games into their 135-game season. After sweeping the Red Sox at the start of the March, things have not gone well for Houston. Their record stood at 5-2 then, and is now just 12-20 to Boston’s 12-19. Hey, the Sox are the better team in this matchup! The Astros have suffered an 8-game losing streak to get to this level, like the Mets and the Phillies. Boston meanwhile has achieved their record without a long steak
but merely through frustrating play in four-game (or so) cycles.
With the Red Sox sitting 7 games under .500, they need to get as many wins as possible against the (other) struggling teams. A dropped series against the Blue Jays looms large. The sweep at the hands of the Astros looms large further back. The loss of Garrett Crochet for at least two weeks means they need to hold things together for 15 days, hopefully claw a couple games back, and then try and go on a run when their ace returns.
The Red Sox are likely to call up Jake Bennett. The 6’6” southpaw was acquired from the Washington Nationals for Luis Perales. SoxProspects describes him as a “[p]otential backend starter. Ceiling of a mid-rotation starter.” Although in five starts (21.0 innings) he’s put up a 0.86 ERA for the WooSox. And he’s had several months working with the Boston pitching think tank. He missed 2024 with Tommy John Surgery and has improved as he’s gotten further away from that setback. SoxProspects Andrew Parker has a bit more on the likely Friday starter.
The Friday starter we do know is Houston’s Mike Burrows. A right-hander, Burrows has been up and down this season. His season ERA is north of six. Of course when he faced Boston on April 1, he allowed just 2 runs over 5.0 innings. He’s struck out 33 and walked 12 over 31.2 innings. He also held the Yankees to 2 runs in 5.0 last time out so who can say what offenses are good.
Spencer Arrighetti is a right-hander who has made three starts this season. Over 18 innings he’s held the Rockies, Guardians, and Yankees to a total of 4 runs combined. Plus 21 strikeouts and 9 walks. Luckily the stopper, Connelly Early, is paired against him. Early is coming off a 6.2 inning win against the Orioles. The initial Chad Sox game. His only runs allowed were two solo shots.
Sunday, the Astros get to be the TBD team while the Red Sox send Ranger Suárez to the mound. Suárez was the bright spot for the Red Sox pitching against Toronto, throwing 8.0 scoreless, 1-hit, 10 strikeout innings in Canada. Aside from the outing against the Yankees, he’s been on a roll for the last month. Against the Jays, Tigers, and Cardinals he tossed 22 scoreless innings. A little more of that and some help from the bats and this looks like the game Boston has the best chance of winning. Of course, his season debut was against these Astros and was a 4.1 inning, 4 run outing.
Yordan Alvarez is hitting .356 with 12 home runs.
Former potential trade target and bad defender Isaac Paredes is at .253/.339/.384 with 3 homers.
Jose Altuve is buzzing along with a .250/.349/.393 slash line.
Christian Walker has bounced back after a rough 2025 for a .300/.371/.564 performance.
Overall, the Astros are struggling and hopefully that continues for a least three more days, if not months.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday, May 1: Mike Burrows (6.25 ERA / 5.14 FIP) vs. TBD (— ERA / — FIP)
Saturday, May 2: Spencer Arrighetti (2.00 ERA / 3.67 FIP) vs. Connelly Early (2.84 ERA / 4.60 FIP)
Sunday, May 3: TBD (— ERA / — FIP) vs. Ranger Suárez (3.09 ERA / 3.35 FIP)
When/Where to Watch
Friday, May 1: 7:10 PM on NESN+
Saturday, May 3: 4:10 PM ET on NESN
Sunday, May 3: 1:35 PM ET on NESN
