Houston Astros left fielder Yordan Alvarez (44) during the MLB Cincinnati Reds vs. Houston Astros match at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 in Cincinnati Walked back to the dugout after striking out in the seventh inning of the game between. After sweeping the Kansas City Royals in four games last weekend, the Astros head to Cincinnati for a short road trip, posting a season-high 13 games above .500 and a six-game lead in the American League West.
But now the Astros (75-65) return to Houston to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks (79-62) and try to regain the momentum they lost when they were swept by the Reds. Friday's opener of a three-game series against the Diamondbacks kicks off a crucial six-game homestand for the Astros, who are trying to fend off the Seattle Mariners in the division while pursuing a higher seed in the postseason. .
“This is not the way we wanted to go,” Astros manager Joe Espada said after Thursday's 1-0 loss that ended a winless road trip. “We have to put it behind us and get ready for the Diamondbacks.”
The Astros hope All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker can return this weekend. He's been sidelined since he fractured his lower right leg on June 3, and the Astros desperately need his bat given the inconsistent outfield performance in his absence. In the series against the Reds, Houston went 5-for-23 with runners in scoring position.
“We've had some opportunities in the last few days, and when a team gives you an opportunity like this, you have to make the most of it,” Espada said. “When you play a low-scoring game, you better capitalize, and we didn't.”
Left-hander Flamber Valdez (13-6, 3.11 ERA) will start Friday for the Astros. Despite throwing seven hitless innings against the Kansas City Royals on August 30, while allowing three walks and seven strikeouts, Valdez did not turn the decision into a 3-2 home win. Taken into account. This marked his second consecutive start without a winning decision, following an eight-game winning streak in 10 games, during which Valdez posted a 2.39 ERA.
Valdez made his only appearance against the Diamondbacks on April 13, 2022, when he allowed one run on two hits in three innings of a 3-2 loss. Five at-bats, three strikeouts. Valdez didn't think much of the decision. He compiled a 13-9 record and a 3.64 ERA in 28 major league starts.
Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt (9-7, 4.32) is the Diamondbacks' starter. He allowed the Los Angeles Dodgers to three runs and two walks on eight hits and 10 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings on Sunday in a 14-3 win. Improved to 6-1 with a 4.58 ERA in his last nine starts. The win marked his fifth straight decision, with Pfaadt recording four wins in that span despite a 5.90 ERA and .808 opponent OPS.
Pfeat will make his first start against the Astros. He has started 13 career games against the American League and is 3-5 with a 5.56 ERA.
Although the Diamondbacks lost 3-2 to the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, the Diamondbacks have won 12 of their past 15 series. The Diamondbacks are 40-31 on the road, marking their first season with a road winning percentage above .500 since 1999, when Arizona State went 48-33 on the road.
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