Red Sox vs. Astros ALCS Game 3 lineups: So far away but still so near

The Red Sox return to Boston for three games in three days against the Houston Astros with their best-of-seven ALCS tied up 1-1 and Eduardo Rodriguez on the mound for what should be an explosively good time tonight at the Fens (8:08 p.m., FS1).

Three days ago, the Sox were frustrated in a Game 1 in which they came up just short despite more heroics from Kiké Hernández, who is coming up the biggest when it matters most, writes Boston.com’s Trevor Hass, both at the plate and in the field. Two days ago, the Sox took out their frustration on the Astros in a Game 2 that saw them hit two grand slams in the first two innings en route to a relatively smooth series-tying win.

The Sox now turn to Eduardo Rodriguez, who went five strong last time out against the Rays and looks to pile on the innings for a Sox bullpen that might still be hurting after the Houston portion of the series and faces a three-day gauntlet going forward. Every out should be worth its weight in gold for a team that’s running low on reliable starters and whose manager has the habit of curious bullpen decisions late in games, albeit some that have worked out in the end.

José Urquidy starts for Houston, continuing the nearly unbroken trend of the Sox facing young, upstart hurlers this postseason. The lineup is basically unchanged except for the catcher, and for Houston it’s the same except for the center fielder. It’s time to get NASTY. Let’s do this.