The Astros open a three-game set in San Diego in their preantepenultimate series of the season.
Houston has a three-game appointment in Beach Waffles.
The Astros make their first semi-yearly trip to Sandy Eggo for a three-game set with the Friars. The last time the two teams met was lasts season from September 8 through September 10. Houston dropped the first game before winning the final two games. In the series finale, the Astros dropped a dozen runs on Padres pitching, winning 12-2. Jose Altuve (16) went deep, totaling three RBI, while Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, and Chas McCormick had a pair of hits each. J.P. France (11-5, 3.61) got the win, pitching a Quality Start by surrendering one run over six innings. He struck out five and walked five, allowing four hits.
The victory in the series finale clinched a winning record for the Astros for the season. Houston will clinch a winning record this season with their next victory, likely against the Padres.
I feel like we’ve been playing some pretty good ball. We’re excited. We’re as healthy as we can be right now, and if we get the ball rolling, we can take this division. It’s going to come down to the end, so we just have to make sure we win every game possible. — McCormick
Houston just completed a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels, moving within one game of clinching the season series (Houston leads, 6-3, with four games remaining). Houston won the first two contests, 5-3 and came away with a 6-4 victory on Sunday. Jason Heyward (8) led the way with two singles and a homer with two RBI. Jeremy Peña collected a pair of hits in the win, while Houston’s top four went a collective 0-for-16. Ronel Blanco (11-6, 2.88) struck out five and pitched six shutout innings, allowing four hits and two walks. Josh Hader (31) got a two-out save after Caleb Ferguson got into trouble in the ninth.
You want the ball on the ground, but they found holes. He was a little flat with the fastball but had a good changeup working. — Ron Washington on rookie Caden Dana’s start
The Padres return to Petco Park after winning four games on a five-game roadtrip. They finished up by sweeping the San Francisco Giants, including a 4-3 10-inning win on Sunday. Robert Suarez (9-3, 2.59) earned the win after blowing a save, while Luis Arraez and David Peralta collected a pair of hits each. Fernando Tatis Jr. (18) took reliever Tyler Rogers deep in the win.
GameTimes and Starting Pitchers
Monday, 8:40 PM CT: Spencer Arrighetti (7-12, 4.72) vs. Yu Darvish (5-3, 3.52)
Tuesday, 8:40 PM CT: Hunter Brown (11-8, 3.59) vs. Michael King (12-9, 3.06)
Wednesday, 5:40 PM CT: Framber Valdez (14-6, 2.91) vs. Dylan Cease (13-11, 3.58)
Standings
Houston Astros: 81-68, .544, first in the AL West, 4 1⁄2 games ahead of the Seattle Mariners. Fifth in the American League, 1⁄2 game behind the Kansas City Royals and two games ahead of the Minnesota Twins. Eleventh in MLB, tied with the New York Mets. Last 10: LWWLLLWWWW. On pace for 88-74. Fangraphs projects the same, with a 97.8 percent chance of reaching the playoffs.
San Diego Padres: 85-65, .567, second in the NL West, three games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fourth in the National League, 1 1⁄2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers and 1 1⁄2 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Sixth in MLB, one game behind the Cleveland Guardians. Last 10: WLWLLWLWWW. On pace for 92-70. Fangraphs projects the same, with a 98.5 percent postseason chance.
Heroes and Zeroes (highest and lowest WPA vs. the Angels)
Heroes
Ryan Pressly 30.8
Ronel Blanco 24.6
Yusei Kikuchi 22.2
Yordan Alvarez 19.4
Jason Heyward 17.1
Zeroes
Caleb Ferguson -3.7
Ben Gamel -5.9
Jake Meyers -8.5
Yainer Diaz -10.9
Tayler Scott -20.8