The Pittsburgh Pirates (6-4) will host the Houston Astros (5-6) on Tuesday in the second meeting of a two-game series. Houston took the first game of the series 8-2 on Monday.
The Astros got off to a shaky start dropping six of their first nine games, which included two losses each to the White Sox, Tigers, and Twins. On Sunday, the Astros snapped a two-game losing streak by beating Minnesota 5-1, and they followed that up by spanking the Pirates Monday night. The Astros jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning and never relinquished control from there. Yordan Alvarez reached base in his first four play appearances and drove in two runs. Alex Bregman had an RBI single and scored two runs, including reaching base on three walks. Houston had no shortage of scoring opportunities going 6 for 17 with runners in scoring position.
Victory formation. pic.twitter.com/P3drXT1xdU
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 11, 2023
Cristian Javier (1-0, 3.27 ERA) will make the start Tuesday. The Astros beat the White Sox 6-3 in Javier's first start this season and the Tigers 8-2 last Wednesday. Last season Javier went 11-9 with a 2.54 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 30 games including 25 starts. On the road Javier was 5-4 with a 2.84 ERA in 15 outings.