The Astros open a three-game series against the Rays on Friday with 15 games remaining and a three-game lead over Texas in the AL West. Houston is 75-72 after taking two of three in Philadelphia, while Tampa Bay enters at 87-59 with the best record in the American League.
The series brings together a tight division race, several players involved in Yordan Alvarez’s Triple Crown pursuit, and rookie Miguel Ullola making his first start since being recalled by Houston.
Yordan Faces His Competition
Alvarez enters Tampa Bay leading the American League batting race at .312. His 38 home runs are one behind Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, while his 96 RBI leave him one behind Pete Alonso.
Caminero’s 39 homers make him the most obvious head-to-head rival this weekend, but he isn’t the only Ray with a stake in Alvarez’s Triple Crown chase. Chandler Simpson and Yandy Díaz are also among the closest hitters to Alvarez in the batting race.
For three days, Alvarez won’t have to look far to find some of the names surrounding him on the leaderboards.
Cam Smith Brings His Hot Bat to Tampa Bay
Cam Smith arrives after homering in all three games against Philadelphia. His ninth-inning homer Thursday broke a 1-1 tie, gave the Astros a 2-1 win, and raised his season total to 20.
The three-game homer streak is the longest of Smith’s young career and gives Houston another dangerous bat as it faces a Rays pitching staff anchored this weekend by Drew Rasmussen.
Rookie Ullola Gets Friday’s Start
Miguel Ullola will start the opener against Rasmussen, giving the 24-year-old right-hander a significant September assignment. Ullola is 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA and 10 strikeouts in his limited major-league work. Rasmussen enters at 14-5 with a 2.88 ERA and 156 strikeouts. First pitch is 6:10 p.m. CT.
Peter Lambert (8-8, 3.67 ERA) will face left-hander Ian Seymour (9-6, 4.33) on Saturday at 5:10 p.m. CT. Hayden Wesneski (5-1, 3.35) is scheduled for Sunday’s 12:40 p.m. CT finale against Freddy Peralta (8-11, 4.82).
All three games will air on Space City Home Network.
The AL West
Houston’s lead grew to three games when Texas lost to Seattle on Thursday. The Rangers are 72-75 and open a three-game series against the 78-69 Diamondbacks in Arizona on Friday.
The Astros have gone 6-4 over their last 10 games. Tampa Bay is 5-5 over the same stretch despite holding the AL’s best overall record.
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