No Jose Altuve in Starting Lineup as Astros Go For Series Win over Giants

The Houston Astros face a critical series finale against the San Francisco Giants in the Bay Area on Wednesday afternoon. This is the type of series that the Astros must win, given that the Giants have one of the worst records in baseball.

While the Astros won the series opener 6-3 in a thrilling comeback on Monday night when they were down to their last strike in the ninth inning, it was a letdown the next day. Houston lost 4-1 on Tuesday night, when starter Hunter Brown gave up three runs in five innings, and the Astros didn't have anyone reach second base after the second inning.

The Astros will need to take care of business in the final game of the series to maintain first place in the AL West.

How to Watch Astros vs Giants

Houston Astros Nick Allen (20) scores during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Time: 2:45 p.m. CST

Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, Calif.

TV: Giants- NBCS BA; Astros- Space City Home Network

Radio: Giants- KNBR 680, 1510 AM – KSFN; Astros - KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2, KLTN-TUDN 102.9 FM

This is the announced starting lineup.

Astros Starting Lineup

Houston Astros Cam Smith (11) singles to score the tying run during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

SS Jeremy Peña
DH Yordan Alvarez (L)
3B Isaac Paredes
CF Daulton Varsho (L)
1B Lamonte Wade Jr. (L)
RF Cam Smith
LF Taylor Trammell (L)
2B Nick Allen
C Christian Vásquez

Altuve is not in the lineup for the Astros, as he is currently dealing with a left foot contusion. Altuve was hit by a pitch directly on his left foot and was taken out of the game shortly after. It was quite sore for him, and Nick Allen took his place at second base.

Allen will be making his 29th start at second base this season, and he has a .728 OPS in his last 15 games.

Christian Walker also gets an off day as he has struggled lately. Walker has gone 0/10 in his last three games and has not hit a home run yet in August. Walker has just a .217 average and .661 OPS in his last seven games.

Wade Jr. gets the start at first and makes his first start of this series against his former team. Wade Jr. spent more than four seasons with the Giants from 2021-25 and was known as "Late night Lamonte" in the Bay Area for his clutch ability.

Wade Jr. has been great lately, with six hits in his last seven games along with three RBI. That's good for a .500 average and 1.121 OPS.

Varsho gets to hit cleanup again and has continued to struggle for the most part. He has just a .143 average and .523 OPS with the Astros entering this game.

Pitching Matchup

Astros: Bryan King (2-3, 3.83 ERA) vs Giants: Adrian Houser (3-7, 4.55 ERA)

King will be used as an opener for this game, and Tatsuya Imai will likely be the bulk pitcher for the Astros in this one. Given the struggles Imai has had in the first inning, he was moved to the bullpen. This will be Imai's game to pitch for the most part. Imai went three perfect innings in his last outing from the bullpen.

Houser, a former Astros draft pick back in 2011, has been great lately with a 1.93 ERA in his last seven games. Wade Jr. has gone 2/3 in his career vs Houser.

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