Red Sox host the Astros on 3-game home losing streak

Houston Astros (12-20, fourth in the AL West) vs. Boston Red Sox (12-19, fifth in the AL East)

Boston; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Astros: Mike Burrows (1-3, 6.25 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 33 strikeouts); Red Sox: Jake Bennett (0-0)

LINE: Red Sox -114, Astros -105; over/under is 9 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Red Sox aim to break their three-game home losing streak with a victory over the Houston Astros.

Boston has a 5-8 record at home and a 12-19 record overall. The Red Sox have a 10-1 record in games when they out-hit their opponents.

Houston has a 12-20 record overall and a 4-12 record in road games. The Astros are 1-2 in games decided by one run.

The matchup Friday is the fourth meeting between these teams this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Wilyer Abreu has six doubles, a triple and four home runs for the Red Sox. Marcelo Mayer is 10 for 27 with three doubles over the past 10 games.

Yordan Alvarez has nine doubles and 12 home runs for the Astros. Christian Walker is 14 for 40 with three doubles, three home runs and eight RBIs over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Red Sox: 4-6, .238 batting average, 4.34 ERA, outscored by one run

Astros: 4-6, .281 batting average, 5.83 ERA, outscored by nine runs

INJURIES: Red Sox: Garrett Crochet: 15-Day IL (shoulder), : 15-Day IL (oblique), : 15-Day IL (elbow), : 15-Day IL (wrist), : 60-Day IL (knee), : 15-Day IL (leg), : 60-Day IL (elbow), : 60-Day IL (shoulder), : 60-Day IL (elbow)