Houston Astros Announce Pitching Probables for Marlins Series

Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez will open their three-game series with the Miami Marlins on Monday, the second time in as many road series that Valdez has taken the ball in the opener.

The Astros announced their probables for the three-game series in Miami. Houston is chasing the Texas Rangers for the American League West lead.

The first pitch for all three games is set for 5:40 p.m. central. After the series, the Astros get a day off on Thursday before starting a homestand with the surging Seattle Mariners.

Valdez (9-7, 3.30) is trying to get right after a no-decision against Baltimore last Monday in which he threw seven innings, giving up eight hits and six runs. He struck out three and walked two. The Astros ended up winning that game in the ninth inning on Kyle Tucker’s grand slam.

That was Valdez’s first start after throwing the 16th no-hitter in Astros history. Outside of the no-hitter, Valdez has been uneven in his last seven starts, with a 2-2 record and a 5.65 ERA in 43 innings. He’s struck out 40 and walked 14.

Valdez will face Miami’s Braxton Garrett (6-3, 4.08) a left-hander who won his last start against Cincinnati after throwing six innings, giving up six hits and two runs. He struck out three and walked none. He is 2-1 with a 5.35 ERA in his last seven starts, with 33 strikeouts and four walks.

Cristian Javier (8-2, 4.36) is expected to take the ball on Tuesday. He won his last start, which came against Baltimore, as he went five innings and gave up four hits. He allowed two runs, walked three and struck out three. Javier is 1-1 with a 7.01 ERA in his last seven starts, during which he’s struck out 33 and walked 17.

He’ll face veteran Johnny Cueto (0-3, 5.33), who re-joined the Marlins in July after a stint on the 60-day injured list with right biceps tightness. He got a no-decision in his last start against Cincinnati, throwing five innings and giving up five hits, three runs and a walk. He struck out five. Tuesday will be his seventh start this season.

Justin Verlander (7-5, 3.19) is expected to start Wednesday’s finale. He’s coming off his first home start since re-joining the Astros, where he went six innings against the Los Angeles Angels and claimed the victory. He gave up six hits, three runs and no walks. He struck out seven. That continued his solid trend in his last five starts, as he is 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA.

Jesús Luzardo (8-7, 3.91) is the expected starter for the Marlins on Wednesday. He took the loss in his last start against the New York Yankees, giving up nine hits and seven runs in 3.1 innings. He is 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA in his last seven starts and has 45 strikeouts against 14 walks in that span.

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