Tonight the Boston Red Sox venture into a park (Minute Maid Park) where they’ve never played before, at least in the regular season, to take on the Houston Astros.

Daisuke Matsuzaka will toe the rubber for the Red Sox and has never faced the Astros before. He will put his 8-1 record with a 3.46 ERA on the line and hope to last longer than an inning like he did in his first start back on Saturday from the disabled list.

One-time Red Sox farmhand Runelvys Hernandez will make his 2008 debut for the Astros tonight. He was signed by the Sox as a minor league free agent last year (2007) and pitched in Pawtucket until June 1st, 2007. He had an opt-out clause in his contract and exercised it since the Red Sox didn’t need him in the big leagues last year. He has faced the Red Sox twice in his career and has no record with 4.85 ERA in 2 starts.

Here is a little special treat for y’all. It’s pretty much the full video of Jonathan Papelbon and Manny Delcarmen performing the “Blame It On The Rain” we’ve seen so many times. I say pretty much because the amateur videographer gets a shot of Boston Celtics reserve Glen “Big Baby” Davis as he walks by.

With Coco Crisp’s suspension being reduced to 5 games, the Red Sox are giving Jacoby Ellsbury the night off tonight. Manny Ramirez will be patrolling left field as his hamstrings seem to be ok. If I were a betting man and I’m not, I’d venture a guess that Ellsbury will be a late-inning defensive replacement for Manny tonight.

During Jonathan Papelbon’s weekly appearance on Comcast Sports New England, he showed Michael Felger his “blown save face“. In the web exclusive, he talks to Felger about Manny Delcarmen’s musical interests as well as his own.

Kathryn Tappen stopped by the NESN Playground today to chat it up with her fans. Shockingly I didn’t see Steve’s name pop up in the chat unless he’s going by “silentsteve” these days.

Lineups and batter/pitcher matchups after the jump.

49-32

1. Coco Crisp, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. J.D. Drew, RF
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Julio Lugo, SS
9. Daisuke Matsuzaka, P

37-42

1. Michael Bourn, CF
2. David Newhan, 2B
3. Miguel Tejada, SS
4. Lance Berkman, 1B
5. Carlos Lee, LF
6. Geoff Blum, 3B
7. Hunter Pence, RF
8. Humberto Quintero, C
9. Runelvys Hernandez, P

And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers.