The Houston Astros finally have some momentum. Now they have to protect it against another team with October very much on its mind.
Houston opens a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night at Daikin Park after taking three of four from the Chicago White Sox. The Astros enter the weekend 72-69, winners of seven of their last 10, and holding a two-game lead over the Texas Rangers in the AL West.
Houston also has another target within reach. The Astros enter the weekend just 1½ games behind the White Sox for the No. 2 seed in the American League, which comes with a first-round bye. Houston owns the tiebreaker over Chicago after winning the season series 5-2.
Arizona arrives at 74-67 and holding the third and final NL wild-card spot. The Diamondbacks snapped a three-game losing streak with a 1-0 win over Philadelphia on Wednesday and are 5-5 over their last 10 games. San Diego sits just a half-game behind them, with Miami 2½ games back, leaving Arizona little room for a stumble in Houston.
For Houston, the series also closes a stretch of 13 consecutive games without an off day. After Sunday, the Astros will not play more than six straight games without a break for the remainder of the regular season.
Javier Returns to a Traditional Starting Role
Cristian Javier will start Friday’s opener after working behind an opener in his last appearance against the Mets.
The right-hander has struggled since returning this season, carrying a 1-5 record and 6.45 ERA through 44⅔ innings. One particular problem has been getting through a lineup multiple times: opposing hitters have produced a 1.104 OPS against Javier when facing him for the second time in games he has started.
How Houston handles that issue Friday will be worth watching. Ronel Blanco, who made a spot start Tuesday against the White Sox, remains on the roster and is expected to be available out of the bullpen during the Arizona series.
Arizona will counter with veteran right-hander Merrill Kelly, who enters Friday 9-12 with a 5.08 ERA and 95 strikeouts.
Arizona Brings Its Own October Stakes
The Diamondbacks aren’t chasing the Dodgers so much as trying to secure their path into October. They enter Friday in possession of the NL’s final wild-card berth, with San Diego only a half-game behind and Miami 2½ games back.
Ketel Marte is back after a recent absence, adding one of Arizona’s most dangerous hitters to the lineup for the stretch run. Marte has 21 home runs this season, while Corbin Carroll has 19 and a team-high 21 stolen bases. Catcher Gabriel Moreno has been one of Arizona’s most productive hitters, batting .298 with an .836 OPS.
The Diamondbacks have been considerably better at home than on the road. They’re 41-31 in Phoenix but 33-36 away from Chase Field. Houston, meanwhile, is exactly .500 at Daikin Park at 36-36.
Alvarez Enters the Weekend Three Homers From the MLB Lead
Yordan Alvarez enters Friday batting .316 with 37 home runs and 94 RBI. His 37 homers are tied for third in Major League Baseball, three behind Kyle Schwarber’s 40. He has also reached base at a .433 clip with a 1.035 OPS.
Thursday brought another indication of how opposing teams are approaching him. Alvarez received his 30th intentional walk of the season, becoming just the sixth player in American League history to reach that total.
With only 21 games remaining, every opportunity—and every decision by an opponent to take the bat out of his hands—carries more weight.
Astros Rotation vs. Diamondbacks
Friday, Sept. 4 — 7:10 p.m. CT
Diamondbacks: RHP Merrill Kelly (9-12, 5.08 ERA)
Astros: RHP Cristian Javier (1-5, 6.45 ERA)
TV: Space City Home Network
Streaming: SCHN app (subscription required)
Saturday, Sept. 5 — 6:15 p.m. CT
Diamondbacks: RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-2, 3.49 ERA)
Astros: RHP Ethan Pecko (1-0, 6.23 ERA)
TV: FOX / FOX ONE
Sunday, Sept. 6 — 1:10 p.m. CT
Diamondbacks: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (14-5, 2.59 ERA)
Astros: RHP Peter Lambert (8-7, 3.66 ERA)
TV: Space City Home Network
Streaming: SCHN app (subscription required)
Pecko will make his fourth major-league start after earning his first career win against the Mets, when he allowed two runs in five innings. Javier, Pecko, and Lambert will all be working on five days’ rest.
Arizona begins a challenging nine-game stretch for Houston, with road series against the Phillies and Rays to follow. All three opponents currently hold playoff positions, giving the Astros little opportunity to ease up after their successful series against Chicago. With 21 games remaining, Houston has a division lead to protect—and perhaps a first-round bye to chase.
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