Overview

• The series opener between the 65-54 Red Sox and 66-52 Astros is set for 8:10 p.m. EDT Monday at Minute Maid Park.
• Left-hander Garrett Crochet leads MLB with 13 wins, 148⅓ innings and a 2.24 ERA in his first start of the series.
• Houston names Cristian Javier as its probable starter but his availability is disputed by a 60-day injured list designation in AP/Sportradar data.
• Boston swept Houston for the first time since 2013 during their last meeting, extending its recent dominance over the Astros.
• BetMGM lists the Red Sox as –176 favorites with an over/under of 7½ runs in Monday’s opener.