BOSTON RED SOX

at HOUSTON ASTROS

First pitch: Sunday, 8:00 p.m. ET
Line: N/A

Henry Owens and the Red Sox take on Scott Feldman and the Astros in the series finale on Sunday night.

The Astros will look to take the final game of the series behind RHP Scott Feldman (0-2, 4-11 ERA, 10 SO, 7 BB in 15 1/3 innings), who is making his fourth start of the season. The 33-year-old has let up three home runs already on this young season, and he took a step back on April 19 (3 ER in 5 IP vs. the Rangers) after an excellent outing vs. the Royals (0 ER in 6 1/3 IP) on April 13. The Astros have lost all three of Feldman’s starts this season. On the hill for John Farrell’s club will be LHP Henry Owens, who will be making his first start of the season in front of a national audience on Sunday Night Baseball. The 23-year-old wasn’t particularly impressive in his rookie campaign in 2015, going 4-4 with a 4.57 ERA in 11 starts. The 6’6” starter surrendered 62 hits in 63 innings pitched and recorded 50 strikeouts to 24 walks. The Astros don’t have any key offensive players on the disabled list. For Boston, Pablo Sandoval is on the 15-day DL, thought the former World Series MVP had been relegated to the bench before getting hurt.

Feldman has been in the league since 2005—though most of his career was spent in the American League West—so the the Red Sox have had their fair share of plate appearances against him. 2B Dustin Pedroia has teed off on Feldman, going 10-for-23 with a home run, a double and three RBIs. DH David Ortiz, in the final year of his illustrious career, has also had success against the veteran. Big Papi is 5-for-18 lifetime against Feldman with a pair of home runs, eight RBIs and three walks. Catcher Christian Vazquez only has five career at-bats against the journeyman, but he’s seen the ball well, going 4-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs. LF Brock Holt is 3-for-6 with two doubles, a triple and an RBI against Feldman, and CF Jackie Bradley Jr. is 2-for-5.

The Astros haven’t pitched well in the first month of 2016, but they haven’t had any issue putting runs on the board. A.J. Hinch’s club can beat you in a variety of ways, as they hit a ton of home runs and steal plenty of bases. Making his first start of the season, Owens will have his hands full against this club. What’s working in Owens’ favor, however, is that no players on Houston’s roster have ever faced him. The tall lefty will bring an element of surprise, and that might throw Houston’s timing off. It’s worth noting that left-handed hitters (.293) actually hit Owens better than right-handed hitters (.248) did in 2015. First start or not, though, the Astros’ lineup is a difficult one to contend with. Rookie 1B Tyler White has hit very well this month, as have two-time American League hits leader Jose Altuve and LF Colby Rasmus. Young stars Carlos Correa and George Springer are two of the most talented players in baseball, and while they’ve played well in April, they’re certainly capable of producing at a higher level. Two-time All-Star Carlos Gomez, who was acquired just prior to the non-waiver trade deadline last season, has gotten off to a dreadful start. If he doesn’t start hitting—or at least start showing signs of coming out of his funk—he might be in danger of losing his starting job and being forced to platoon.