Orioles at Astros
Fresh off a 6-1 road trip, the Houston Astros look to continue their success when they open an eight-game homestand on Friday by hosting the Baltimore Orioles. Houston is an American League-best 22-8 at home as it begins the three-game series against the Orioles, who have lost six of their last eight contests.
Alex Bregman ended his seven-game home-run drought while going 3-for-6 during Thursday's 8-7, 14-inning win over Seattle and has recorded five multi-hit performances in his last 10 games. Robinson Chirinos has homered in four consecutive contests after failing to go deep in his previous 13 games. Baltimore dropped a 4-3 decision in Texas on Thursday and has lost 21 of its last 27 contests. Trey Mancini went 3-for-4 with a homer for his fifth multi-hit effort in 11 games.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Gabriel Ynoa (0-2, 5.06 ERA) vs. Astros RH Gerrit Cole (5-5, 3.94)
Ynoa lost to San Francisco on Sunday, when he gave up four runs - two earned - and five hits over five innings. The 26-year-old will be making his third start of this season and the 10th of his career. Ynoa is 0-1 with a 6.52 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in four road appearances - all in relief - this season.
Cole leads the AL with 116 strikeouts in just 77 2/3 innings, an average of 13.4 per nine frames. The 28-year-old gave up two runs (solo homers) and four hits in six innings but did not receive a decision against Oakland on Sunday. Cole's lone career outing against Baltimore was in his final start of the 2018 regular season, a no-decision in which he allowed one run and five hits over six innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Orioles 3B Rio Ruiz struck out three times in four hitless at-bats on Thursday and hasn't driven in a run in his last 16 games.
2. Houston MGR A.J. Hinch said he doesn't expect 2B Jose Altuve or OF George Springer to return from their hamstring injuries during the homestand.
3. Baltimore placed DJ Stewart (ankle) on the 10-day injured list and recalled fellow OF Stevie Wilkerson from Triple-A Norfolk.