The Astros host the Reds for three games starting Friday night.
The Astros host the Reds three times at Daikin Park starting Friday night.
GameTimes and Starting Pitchers
Friday, 7:10PM CT: Nick Martinez (1-3, 4.19) vs. Hunter Brown (5-1, 1.67)
Saturday, 6:10PM CT: Brady Singer (4-2, 3.66) vs. Lance McCullers Jr. (0-0, 0.00)
Sunday, 1:10 PM CT: Andrew Abbott (2-0, 2.25) vs. Ronel Blanco (2-3, 4.98)
History
Cincinnati and Houston used to play each other a whole lot more often when they were both parked in the National League. The two have faced off a total of 854 times, which makes them the Astros most common opponent. Houston owns a .470 winning percentage in these games, posting a 401-452 record with one draw and zero postseason meetings. That win percentage counts as Houston’s sixth-worst against another club.
Houston has also lost their last nine matchups to the Reds, which is currently their longest losing streak. The Astros last win against them was on June 19, 2016. Mike Fiers (5-3, 4.42) earned the win, keeping the Reds off the board for 5 2⁄3 innings while allowing four hits and a walk. He struck out five. Chris Devenski earned a 10-out save, striking out a pair and allowing one hit. Evan Gattis (2B, HR) and Luis Valbuena (1B, HR) led Houston with two hits each.
My changeup and offspeed pitches were there at times. Basically, I was able to throw my fastballs where I wanted it to, and I was able to get [the Reds] to start swinging the bats. — Fiers
Standings
Houston Astros: 18-18, .500, third in the AL West 4.0 GB of the Seattle Mariners, eighth in the American League, 6.0 GB of the Detroit Tigers, and tied for 15th in the MLB with the Brewers, the Cardinals, and the Reds. On pace for 81-81, 47.9 percent chance of making the postseason. WWWLLWLLLW
Cincinnati Reds: 19-19, .500, second in the NL Central, 3.0 GB of the Chicago Cubs, tied for eighth in the National League, 6.5 GB of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and tied for 15th in the MLB, with the Brewers, the Cardinals, and the Astros. On pace for 81-81, 9.9 percent chance of making the playoffs. LLWWLLLLW-
Houston just finished a six game roadtrip, going 1-2 against the Chicago White Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers. Framber Valdez (2-4, 3.94) earned his first victory since opening day with seven innings of three-hit ball. He struck out seven and walked two, surrendering a solo home run to Eric Haase (2). Jeremy Peña hit his team-leading fifth home run, and also led the offense with the only multiple hit game for either team.
Whenever I have a bad time, nobody can be happy with that, but I feel good in giving the team a chance to win. — Valdez