The Houston Astros head to Washington for their final road series before the All-Star break after taking a series from the American League-leading Tampa Bay Rays. Houston opens a three-game set against the Nationals on Monday night at Nationals Park.
Washington is 40-38, fourth in the NL East but within striking distance of a wild card spot. The Nationals have been one of the National League’s more surprising teams this season, fueled largely by their offense and a rotation that has settled in after a rough start. They went 13-14 in June but have remained competitive in recent weeks.
Peña Update
Jeremy Peña is on track to return before the week is out. The shortstop, placed on the 10-day injured list June 29 with a left calf strain, is expected to play one or two rehab games at Triple-A Sugar Land early this week before a potential reinstatement Friday when Houston opens a series against the Rangers.
“I think we are in a good spot for him to rejoin the club at some point in that weekend series at Texas if all goes well,” manager Joe Espada said.
The Astros have been a markedly different team with Peña in the lineup, and getting him back before the All-Star break would provide a significant boost heading into the second half.
The Pitching Matchup
Mike Burrows gets the ball Monday for Houston against Miles Mikolas. The 37-year-old Nationals right-hander has rebounded after a difficult start to the season, and Washington is expected to use an opener before turning the game over to Mikolas.
Tuesday features Andrew Alvarez for Washington against Tatsuya Imai for Houston.
The series concludes Wednesday with Spencer Arrighetti facing Foster Griffin. Arrighetti is looking to build on a solid six-inning performance against the Rays after a challenging June.
