Astros Vs. Braves: Schedule Doesn't Get Easier For Houston

The Astros begin a three-game series on Friday against the Braves at Turner Field. But it's the first of seven straight games against likely playoff teams as they also face the Nationals before returning to Houston for a series against the Brewers - the same team that swept them earlier this week.

Get all that?

What I'm eluding to is that the Astros, 3-28 in their last 31, are going into matchups that are significant disadvantages to them in the next week or so and that's going to start in ATL, shawty.

Leading the way for the Stros' offense is Jose Altuve, batting .300 for the season. Brett Wallace was recently called up from the minor leagues and hit two home runs in a beating the Astros took from the Brewers on Wednesday.

The Braves have won eight of their last nine games, and now they play the Astros. Take a look at the game schedules and probable starters for the weekend.

Friday, 6:35 p.m. - Armando Galarraga (0-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. Tim Hudson (10-4, 3.68 ERA)

Saturday, 6:10 p.m. - Lucas Harrell (8-7, 4.03 ERA) vs. Paul Maholm (9-6, 3.74 ERA)

Sunday, 12:35 p.m. - Bud Norris (5-8, 5.02 ERA) vs. Kris Medlen (2-1, 2.43 ERA)

Read more on the Astros at The Crawfish Boxes and SB Nation Houston. Head over to Talking Chop and SB Nation Atlanta for more on the Braves. Baseball Nation is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.