Houston Astros Rookies Highlight Pitching Rotation for Padres

The Houston Astros have set their pitching probables for their three-game series with the San Diego Padres, which starts on Friday at Minute Maid Park.

Friday’s opener is set for 7:10 p.m. central, with Saturday’s game set for 6:10 p.m. and Sunday’s finale set for 1:10 p.m. The Astros (80-61) will enter the series with a lead in the American League West.

Hunter Brown (10-10, 4.53) will draw the start against San Diego’s Blake Snell (12-9, 2.50).

Brown made his last start against the New York Yankees on Saturday, where he gave up five hits and three earned runs in just four innings. He walked four and struck out five. In his last seven games (six starts, one in relief) he is 4-3 with a 5.68 ERA with 35 strikeouts and 12 walks in 31.2 innings.

Snell has won his last two starts, with the last victory coming on Saturday against San Francisco. He threw six innings of shutout baseball, giving up three hits and four walks. He also struck out eight. He’s been spinning the ball well of late, with a 5-1 record and a 2.20 ERA in his last seven starts. He’s struck out 54 and walked 25 in his last 41 innings.

Saturday’s game will feature Houston’s Cristian Javier (9-3, 4.65) against San Diego’s Seth Lugo (6-6, 3.49).

Javier is coming off a loss to the Yankees on Sunday. He went six innings in that contest, giving up four hits and three earned runs while striking out eight. He walked none. In his last seven starts he’s 2-1 with a 5.60 ERA, with 33 strikeouts and 18 walks in 35.1 innings.

Lugo won his last start, which was against San Francisco on Sunday. He threw six shutout innings, giving up three hits and one walk against four strikeouts. He’s thrown well in his last seven outings, with a 2-1 record and a 3.20 ERA in 39.1 innings, with 38 strikeouts and 11 walks.

The Astros have set J.P. France (10-5, 3.72) is set as Sunday’s starter, while the Padres have not announced their Sunday starter.

France threw five innings against the Texas Rangers on Monday but ended up with a no-decision. He gave up six hits and five earned runs with three walks and five strikeouts. While is 5.70 ERA in his last seven games is high, he has a 4-2 record with 33 strikeouts and 13 walks in his last 36.1 innings.

Once the Padres series is complete, the Astros will host the Oakland Athletics for three games starting on Monday.