Astros at Cardinals
Gerrit Cole looks to win his eighth consecutive decision when the Houston Astros visit the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-series. Cole has reached double digits in strikeouts seven times during an 11-start unbeaten streak that has followed a loss to the Chicago White Sox on May 22.
Cole routinely has handled Paul Goldschmidt (2-for-17), but St. Louis' slugger has homered in a career-high five straight games after drilling a decisive three-run shot in the bottom of the eighth inning of the team's 5-3 victory in the series opener. Goldschmidt will be looking to match the franchise record of six straight games with a blast, which is shared by Mark McGwire (1998) and Matt Carpenter (2018). Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (rib) returned Friday after missing exactly two months and was hitless in four at-bats. Houston lost for just the second time in nine games while the Cardinals have won six straight and 12 of 14 to take a one-game lead over the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FS Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (11-5, 3.03 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Daniel Ponce de Leon (1-0, 2.82)
Cole leads the major leagues with 205 strikeouts and has fanned an impressive 13.5 batters per nine innings. The 28-year-old defeated Oakland in his last turn as he gave up one run and two hits while registering 11 strikeouts over seven frames. Cole has posted a 7-4 record and 3.09 ERA in 14 career starts versus the Cardinals.
Ponce de Leon will be making his seventh start of the season and the 11th of his career. The 27-year-old has lasted less than four innings in each of his last two outings, giving up five runs, 11 hits and six walks over 6 2/3 frames. Ponce de Leon has registered 44 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings, fanning seven or more batters on three occasions.
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros LF Michael Brantley, who homered in the series opener, is batting .388 with five blasts and 17 RBIs in 67 at-bats this month.
2. Carpenter (foot) is expected to rejoin St. Louis around the middle of next week.
3. Houston designated UTIL Tony Kemp for assignment to open the roster spot for Correa.