Brian Bogusevic, former Astros outfielder and Space City Home Network analyst, joins Next Up after the Astros lost the three-game series to the Boston Red Sox with Wednesday's 4-1 defeat. Justin Verlander returned to the mound for his first start since June 9, allowing four hits and two runs with six strikeouts in five innings. Alex Bregman appeared in the lineup as a designated hitter and smacked a lead-off home run in his first at-bat after being out five games with right elbow inflammation. This would serve as the Astros only run of the game. "This is not the juggernaut offense" of the past, Bogusevic said. "There are going to be ups and downs...it's going to be hot and cold." While Bregman stated that he was not experiencing pain or discomfort, "you're probably not going to see him at third base for at least a few days." Bregman filling the designated hitter position has a domino effect for the rest of the lineup. Bregman is "a big difference maker at third base," so as a designated hitter, Yordan Alvarez will play more in left field, Yainer Diaz could get more time at first base and Victor Caratini would be behind the plate to keep his bat in the lineup against right-handed pitchers. Following his release from the Chicago Cubs, reliever Hector Neris will be signing with the Astros in a return to Houston. "I'm all for it," because "whatever you need, [Neris will] take the ball." The Astros hold a five-game lead in the AL West and are traveling to Baltimore to take on the Orioles for a four-game series. The Orioles have "got one of the best offenses in baseball," but the Astros are "catching them at the right time" as the Orioles are 9-10 in August.