Astros at Cardinals
The Houston Astros are in control of the American League West and are about to receive a huge boost in their pursuit of a fourth consecutive division title. Shortstop Carlos Correa is expected to return to the lineup for the first time in two months when the Astros open a three-game interleague series at the surging St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.
Correa has missed 49 games with a fractured rib but is expected to be activated off the the 60-day injured list to add another big bat to an offense that was third in the majors in runs scored after Wednesday's games. “It’s got a chance to get even better with Carlos coming back soon,” manager A.J. Hinch said of his lineup. “Part of our calling card as an offense is continually putting pressure on every single at-bat.” While Houston has won seven of eight, the Cardinals have ripped off five consecutive wins following a four-game sweep of Pittsburgh to pull into a tie for first place in the National League Central. Paul Goldschmidt sparked the offense against the Pirates, homering in all four games and collecting nine RBIs as St. Louis improved to 11-3 since the All-Star break.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Jose Urquidy (1-0, 5.54 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Jack Flaherty (4-6, 4.24)
After opening his major league career with a pair of abbreviated outings, Urquidy broke into the win column in his third start with a dominant performance against Texas, striking out nine and allowing one run and two hits over seven innings. The 24-year-old Mexican was pounded for five runs and eight hits over 2 1/3 innings in his previous turn versus the Los Angeles Angels and lasted 3 2/3 innings at Colorado in his major league debut. Right-handed batters are 9-for-24 against Urquidy.
Flaherty has gone nearly 2 1/2 months without a victory, although he has deserved a better fate after permitting a combined two runs over his last three starts. While he lasted only 4 1/3 scoreless innings at Cincinnati last time out, the former first-round pick was superb in his previous two starts, going seven innings in each and allowing two runs and five hits while striking out 14 over 14 innings. Flaherty is holding opposing hitters to a .202 average in 10 starts at home.
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros SS Jose Altuve is 10-for-20 with three homers during a five-game hitting streak.
2. Cardinals SS Paul DeJong had five homers and 13 RBIs in his last eight games.
3. Correa was 7-for-21 in a six-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Round Rock.