Astros Set Pitching Probables for Mariners Series

The Houston Astros have set their pitching probables for their three-games series with the Seattle Mariners, which starts on Friday at Minute Maid Park.

Friday’s game is set for 7:10 p.m. central, while Saturday’s game is set for 6:10 p.m. Sunday’s finale will begin at 12:05 p.m.

J.P. France (9-3, 2.74) is the probable starter for Friday’s game. The rookie won his last start on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels, giving up four hits and two earned runs in seven innings. He struck out five and walked one.

France was briefly displaced from the rotation after a trade brought Justin Verlander back to Houston. But he won his relief appearance on Aug. 6 against the New York Yankees, working 3.1 innings of shutout baseball in that game.

He has been the Astros’ best pitcher in his last seven starts, going 6-0 with a 2.16 ERA in 41.2 innings. He’s struck out 29 and walked 10 during that span.

Framber Valdez (9-8, 3.31) is expected to start Saturday’s game. He took the loss against Miami on Monday, giving up six hits and three earned runs in 7.2 innings against the Marlins. He struck out four and walked one.

Valdez is two starts removed from throwing the 16th no-hitter in Astros history. In his last seven starts he is 2-2 with a 5.24 ERA, striking out 38 and walking 12 in 44.2 innings.

Hunter Brown (9-8, 4.16) is expected to start on Sunday. The rookie took the ball on Tuesday in a relief role for Cristian Javier. Brown threw two innings of shutout baseball, giving up one hit and striking out one as he took the victory.

Brown last started against Baltimore on Aug. 10, where he took the loss after giving up eight hits and five earned runs in six innings. He gave up two home runs and struck out seven.

He is 3-3 with a 5.24 ERA in his last seven games (six starts), with 35 strikeouts and nine walks in 34.1 innings pitched.

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