Series 22 (of 52) Preview: Astros Visit San Francisco

Houston has three games in San Francisco against the Giants, starting with tonight’s game at 8:45 PM CT.

This series is the only one this season between the Astros and the Giants. Houston will return home after this series to face the Detroit Tigers three times, then head back out to play three road games versus the Chicago White Sox.

Houston and San Francisco have played each other 737 times in the regular season, with the Astros winning 48 percent of the time (353-382). It’s Houston’s middlest record against an NL West opponent. They’re worse against the Los Angeles Dodgers (329-396) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (67-79) and better against the San Diego Padres (318-291) and the Colorado Rockies (104-85).

The last time these two teams played each other was from May 1 to May 3 last season, with the Astros winning the opener before dropping the final two games of the set. In Houston’s lone win of the series, on May 1, the Astros relied on a five-run seventh-inning outburst for an eventual 7-3 triumph. Mauricio Dubón led the offense with two singles and a double, while Jeremy Peña was the only other Astro with multiple hits. The game was also notable in that it was Luis Garcia’s final MLB appearance to date. Ryne Stanek (2-1, 3.60) earned the win in relief, with a perfect seventh inning.

Hopefully he’ll be back relatively soon. We don’t know when. We just have to call upon whoever’s the best available. — Dusty Baker

History would soon tell us that he was not back “relatively soon,” and JP France was the “best available.”

Houston is coming off a three-game series win over the Los Angeles Angels, winning twice before dropping the finale on Sunday. In Houston’s final win, on Saturday, Hunter Brown (2-5, 5.58) earned the win with six shutout innings of two-hit ball. He walked four and struck out seven. Every Houston player in the lineup collected at least one hit — aside from Jose Abréu. Yordan Alvarez collected three extra base hits to lead the way, including his 13th jack of the season. Jose Altuve also got two hits in the game.

I think to this point, we have a lot of guys that have experience in the playoffs, that have been through these moments. We played some good baseball and I think there’s going to be a spot where we are going to all click and when all is said and done, we’re going to be the ones to have the last laugh. — Alvarez

In the meantime, the Giants fell one win short of the sweep against the Texas Rangers, winning twice before losing 3-1 in yesterday’s finale. In their last win, also a 3-1 ballgame, Heliot Ramos was the only San Francisco player to finish with more than one hit, collecting all three of the Giants’ RBI. Erik Miller (1-2, 3.60) got the win with a scoreless inning of work, striking out two. Camilo Doval earned his 11th save of the year.

I’m just trusting my plan. The confidence happens whenever you make things happen. I’m just trying to trust it every day and trust that the plan that I’m taking to the plate is going to work. — Ramos

Standings

Houston Astros: 30-36, .455, 6.5 games back and in third place in the AL West. 12th in the American League, and 24th in MLB. On pace for 74-88. Fangraphs projects 83-79, and a 40.9 percent chance at reaching the postseason. Last 10: WLWLWWLWWL.

San Francisco Giants: 32-34, .485, 9.0 games back and in third place in the NL West. tied for sixth in the National League and 15th in MLB with the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds. On pace for 79-83. Fangraphs projects 81-81 and a 33.6 percent chance of reaching the playoffs. Last 10: LLLLLLWWWL.

Gametimes and Starting Pitchers

Monday, 8:45 PM CT: Spencer Arrighetti (3-5, 5.79) vs. Kyle Harrison (4-3, 4.18)
Tuesday, 8:45 PM CT: Ronel Blanco (5-2, 2.78) vs. Jordan Hicks (4-2, 2.82)
Wednesday, 2:45 PM CT: Framber Valdez (5-3, 3.53) vs. Logan Webb (5-5, 2.92)

Heroes and Zeroes (five highest and lowest WPA versus the Angels)

Yordan Alvarez 49.5
Jose Altuve 40.8
Hunter Brown 30.1
Framber Valdez 29.0
Chas McCormick 17.5

Yainer Diaz -11.5
Justin Verlander -22.9
Jeremy Peña -24.6
Josh Hader -27.7
Ryan Pressly -39.5