September 1, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (21 years old) and relief pitcher Kaleb Ort (63 years old) Celebrating after the game against the Kansas City Royals at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports As September begins and the Houston Astros appear to be hitting their stride again, the idea of a postseason becomes more prominent among their players and coaches.
The Cincinnati Reds are dealing with a slew of injuries to pitchers and trying to hang on until the end of the season.
The two clubs will meet in Cincinnati on Monday night for the first game of a three-game series.
With a fresh four-game sweep of the visiting Kansas City Royals, the Astros (75-62) improved their winning percentage over .500 to a season-high 13 games and the best in the majors since April 27 68-43 record.
“I said one day we were all going to be on the same page, and that's what's happening now,” Alvarez said.
Astros manager Joe Espada said: “This is a very good Royals team. They've been playing well. We went to Kansas City (in April) and we didn't play our best, But that's why you play 162. We're getting closer to our goals, we're playing with a different intensity and focus and we've proven that in this series.
The Astros now turn their attention to the Reds (65-73), who ended a three-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in 11 innings on Sunday.
Jonathan India rebounded after being picked off on a catcher's throw to second base in the first inning, going 3-for-4, scoring the tying run on a header slider and pitching from second base in the 10th. Out a runner.
“I always say baseball is a losing game,” India said. “We have to learn how to deal with it. We have new experiences. We have to get through it, but we have to finish strong. We have to win this month and keep our heads high.”
The Reds recently got Houston's number. In 2023, the Reds swept the Astros in a three-game series in Houston. In 2019, the Reds took all three games from the Astros in Cincinnati. The Astros won two of three games in Houston in 2016, but before that, Cincinnati won all three in 2013.
This season, the two teams are heading in very different directions. While Houston is in first place in the American League West and seeking its seventh division title in eight years, the Reds have lost five of 10 home games and 11 8 games.
The Astros ended August with a team ERA of 2.51 and an opponent batting average of .185, both of which led the majors.
Houston is scheduled to start right-hander Justin Verlander (3-4, 4.16 ERA) on Monday. The 41-year-old veteran will make his 13th start of the season and his third since he was sidelined for more than a month due to neck pain.
Verlander is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in two starts, including allowing seven hits and four runs in five innings in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
In three career games against Cincinnati, Verlander is 1-1 with a 3.15 ERA.
The Reds will counter with rookie right-hander Julian Aguiar (1-0, 6.43 ERA) making his fourth start. Aguiar allowed six runs, three homers and 10 hits in four innings on Thursday, but the Reds ultimately defeated the Oakland Athletics 10-9.
Aguiar has never faced the Astros in his career.
–Scene-level media