Mets at Astros (Game 2)
The Astros could be forgiven if their undivided attention wasn't on baseball this week, playing a three-game "home" series in St. Petersburg, Fla., while flooding devastated the city of Houston. The American League West leaders hope to provide a "welcome distraction" - in the words of team president Reid Ryan - for their fans as much as anything when they return to Minute Maid Park on Saturday for a split doubleheader against the New York Mets.
After losing its first two games in Florida by a combined score of 20-3 to Texas, Houston avoided a sweep with Thursday's 5-1 victory before the front office gave the team a much-needed jolt by dealing for six-time All-Star right-hander Justin Verlander from Detroit minutes before the waiver trade deadline. "I think he'll add a dimension we don't have. He's pitched well his whole career and has been pitching well lately. I think he'll add a dimension in the playoffs, hopefully, when we get there," team owner Jim Crane told MLB.com. The Astros also landed outfielder Cameron Maybin off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels earlier in the evening, providing the team with some reinforcements as they attempt to maintain their 12-game division lead. The Mets, who will spend Friday helping the recovery efforts in Houston, went 10-20 in August after suffering their third loss in four games Thursday at Cincinnati.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Seth Lugo (5-3, 4.85 ERA) vs. Astros RH Brad Peacock (10-2, 3.12)
Lugo came off a short stint on the disabled list Sunday and settled for his third consecutive no-decision, permitting two runs on four hits while striking out five in 3 2/3 frames at Washington. The Louisiana native did not walk a batter after issuing four free passes in his previous turn but has a 5.59 ERA in nine road appearances (eight starts) this season. Lugo, who faces Houston for the first time, has not fared particularly well in interleague action while going 0-2 with a 5.73 ERA in three games (two starts).
Despite remaining winless since Aug. 4, Peacock continued his breakout campaign with last Saturday's no-decision against the Angels as he allowed only a solo homer among three hits while fanning eight in six frames. The 29-year-old has held opponents to two or fewer earned runs in nine of the last 13 outings, going 7-1 with a 3.10 ERA over that stretch. Peacock hasn't squared off versus the Mets since 2014 but has yielded only one run across 9 2/3 frames in two starts against them.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Astros traded three of their top 11 prospects - RHP Franklin Perez, OF Daz Cameron and C Jake Rogers - to acquire Verlander.
2. New York entered Friday tied for the National League lead with 193 homers but failed to hit one in three games against the Reds, who have surrendered a major-league high 215.
3. Houston placed C/DH Evan Gattis on the 10-day disabled list Thursday with right wrist soreness and designated RHP Dayan Diaz for assignment to clear room for Maybin.