ASTROS V RED SOX
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2017, 3 PM AT FENWAY PARK
TV: NESN, ATTSPORTSNET-SW
HOUSTON, (100-61).............................................................................................BOSTON, (93-68)
HOUSTON:
COLLIN MCHUGH, RHP, 4-2, 3.45 ERA, 54K
McHugh could miss out on the Astros ALDS rotation despite solid work
after missing the first 3 1/2 months of the season with an arm injury. In
his last six starts, he's 4-0 with a 2.12 ERA and 29 hits allowed in 29-2/3
innings.
BOSTON:
HECTOR VELAZQUEZ, RHP, 3-1, 3.48 ERA, 15K
The Red Sox can now afford to give ace Chris Sale extra rest after
clinching their second consecutive AL East title. That means the right-
hander, Velazquez gets his first start since June 19 as Boston turns its
eye toward October.
Astros, Sox to rest regulars in Game No. 162
Brian McTaggart
The Astros and Red Sox will close the 2017 regular season against each other at Fenway Park on Sunday afternoon in the final tune-up between the two division champions before meeting in the American League Division Series presented by Doosan beginning Thursday in Houston.
With the regular-season finale bearing no weight in terms of playoff seeding, both teams are likely to rest some key regulars. Lefty Chris Sale was originally scheduled to start for the Red Sox, but he will be held back so he can start Game 1 of the ALDS on Thursday. Hector Velazquez will start for Boston in his place.
The Astros will start right-hander Collin McHugh (4-2, 3.45 ERA). He's done solid work after missing the first 3 1/2 months of the season with an arm injury. In his last six starts, he's 4-0 with a 2.12 ERA and 29 hits allowed in 29 2/3 innings.
"A couple of guys will get some days off, a couple of guys will play half games," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "A lot of the backup guys and extra guys from September will get a lot of playing time."
THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS GAME
• Astros second baseman Jose Altuve enters Sunday's game with a .347 batting average and had essentially locked up his third AL batting title. Altuve, who led Chicago's Avisail Garcia by 17 points, will get at least a couple of at-bats Sunday, Hinch said.
• Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi is the 11th Boston rookie to reach 90 RBIs and just the second in the last 40 seasons (Nomar Garciaparra in 1997).
• The Astros are batting .287 (160-for-557) in their last 16 games, with 21 homers and 97 RBIs in that span.
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170930256834870/astros-sox-to-rest-regulars-in-game-no-162/?game_pk=492520
