On deck: Astros at Washington Nationals

Pitchers: Friday, LHP Framber Valdez (1-2, 3.34) vs. RHP Josiah Grey (4-2, 3.45); Saturday, RHP Cristian Javier (2-0, 0.83) vs. RHP Erick Fedde (2-2, 3.90); Sunday, Justin Verlander (4-1, 1.55) vs. LHP Patrick Corbin (0-5, 6.06).

Astros (21-11) replace: With a 10-game successful streak, a part of a 14-2 stretch, Houston has vaulted to the highest of the American League West, a half-game forward of the Angels (21-12). Solely the Yankees (23-8), Mets (22-11) and Dodgers (20-10) have higher data. … The successful streak coincides with Jose Altuve’s return from the injured record (hamstring). Altuve has hit safely in eight of the ten video games, going 12-for-36 (.333) and scoring 10 runs. The Astros are 15-4 with him within the lineup. … The longest successful streak in franchise historical past is 12 video games, achieved 3 times (1999, 2004 and 2018). … Yordan Alvarez ranks second within the majors with 10 house runs, one behind Aaron Choose. Alvarez’s .615 slugging proportion ranks fourth and his .992 OPS fifth. … The Astros’ doubleheader sweep of the Twins on Thursday gave Dusty Baker 2,008 managerial victories, tying him with Leo Durocher for tenth all-time. Ninth-place Walter Alston had 2,040.

Nationals (11-21) replace: Washington, which three years in the past beat the Astros within the World Collection, resides within the Nationwide League East cellar, 11 video games behind the Mets. Solely the Reds (8-24) and Tigers (9-23) have worse data. … The Nats’ 4.77 workforce ERA and 1.44 WHIP rank twenty eighth within the majors. … First baseman Josh Bell is hitting .345/.439/.513. His on-base proportion ranks third within the majors behind Mike Trout (.462) and Manny Machado (.460), and his 21 RBIs are tied for eighth within the NL. …Juan Soto is slashing .264/.395/.512 and ranks second in MLB with 25 walks. With eight house runs, he’s tied for second within the Nationwide League. … Nelson Cruz is hitting a mere .170 in his first season with the Nats however does have 4 house runs. With 453 profession lengthy balls, he not too long ago handed Carl Yastrzemski (452) for thirty ninth place all-time. Cruz want 9 homers to catch Jose Canseco and Adam Dunn, tied for thirty eighth with 462.