Houston Astros Set Javier As Opening Starter for Royals Series

The Houston Astros have set their pitching probables for their three-game series with the Kansas City Royals, which starts on Friday at Kauffman Stadium.

Friday’s game is set for 7:10 p.m., with Saturday’s game set for 6:10 p.m. and Sunday’s game set for 1:10 p.m. The Astros enter the series with a slim lead in the American League West.

Friday’s game will pit Astros right-hander Cristian Javier (9-3, 4.78) against Kansas City right-hander Zack Greinke (1-15, 5.47).

Javier took a no-decision in his last start against San Diego on Saturday. He went just four innings in that contest, giving up four hits and four earned runs. He struck out five and walked three. In his last seven games he is 2-1 with a 6.21 ERA. He has 29 strikeouts and 19 walks in his last 33.1 innings.

Grienke, who has pitched in the Majors since 2004, lost his last start against Toronto on Saturday. He pitched 3.2 innings, giving up six hits and four earned runs. He struck out four and walked one. In his last seven games (four starts) he is 0-5 with a 5.70 ERA. He has struck out 19 and walked four in his last 30 innings.

Greinke pitched for the Astros from 2019-21.

Saturday’s game will feature Houston right-hander J.P. France (11-5, 3.61) against Kansas City left-hander Cole Ragans (6-4, 3.01).

France won his last start against San Diego on Sunday, as he threw six innings and gave up one earned run. He allowed four hits and five walks, but also struck out five. In his last seven games (six starts) he is 4-2 with a 5.60 ERA. He has struck out 32 and walked 16 in his last 35.1 innings.

Ragans was the American League Pitcher of the Month for August. He also came to Kansas City via a trade with the Texas Rangers, which netted the Astros’ American League rivals reliever Aroldis Chapman.

Ragans took a no-decision in his last start against Toronto on Sunday. He went 5.2 innings, giving up one hit and two earned runs. He struck out six and walked six. In his last seven starts he is 3-1 with a 1.91 ERA, with 58 strikeouts and 14 walks in his last 42.1 innings.

Sunday’s finale will feature Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (11-10, 3.32) against Royals right-hander Jordan Lyles (4-16, 6.44).

Valdez is coming off a loss on Monday against Oakland. He went seven innings, giving up four hits and three earned runs. He struck out 10 and walked one. In his last seven games he is 2-3 with a 4.05 ERA. He has 37 strikeouts and 15 walks in his last 46.2 innings.

Lyles drew a no-decision in his last start on Tuesday, as he threw five innings against the Chicago White Sox. He gave up seven hits and seven earned runs but walked no one. He also struck out three. He is 1-4 with a 7.02 ERA in his last seven starts, with 25 strikeouts and seven walks in his last 42.1 innings.

After Sunday’s game, the Astros head to Baltimore to face the Orioles.