The Houston Astros host the Pittsburgh Pirates in a new three-game series. Houston is sending out Edgar Gonzalez to the mound, and it will be his fourth start for the Astros this season. Currently, he is 2-1 with an ERA of 4.40. The Astros are needing him to have a better start this time around where Gonzalez allowed five earned runs in just four innings of work.
As for the rest of the lineup, Brandon Barnes gets the start at centerfield and will be batting second in the lineup on Friday night. Jed Lowrie is back in the starting lineup after getting Thursday night off, and will be batting fifth and playing shortstop.
Astros lineup:
1. Jose Altuve 2B
2. Brandon Barnes CF
3. Matt Dominguez 3B
4. Justin Maxwell RF
5. Jed Lowrie SS
6. Brett Wallace 1B
7. J.D. Martinez LF
8. Chris Snyder C
9. Edgar Gonzalez P
Pirates:
1. Starling Marte LF
2. Clint Barmes SS
3. Andrew McCutchen CF
4. Garrett Jones RF
5. Gaby Sanchez 1B
6. Pedro Alvarez 3B
7. Michael McKenry C
8. Brock Holt 2B
9. Jeff Locke P
Stick with SB Nation Houston for scores, previews, updates and more from the Astros vs. Pirates series. For more insight and analysis, check out Astros blog The Crawfish Boxes, or for the Pittsburgh perspective check out Pirates blog Bucs Dugout.