Astros vs. Brewers: Houston can play spoiler to Milwaukee's playoff hopes

The Houston Astros finally named Bo Porter their manager for 2013, but Tony DeFrancesco will continue to lead the team to the end of 2012. They'll start their penultimate series of the season against the desperate Milwaukee Brewers on Friday in Wisconsin.

Postseason hopes have just about died for the Brewers, with their only real chance left being a perfect finish to the season. Facing the hapless Astros won't hurt their chances, but they'll need everything they can get if they want to get into late October, plus a few results from other teams going their way.

Houston hasn't had to worry about the playoffs any time recently after yet another 100-loss season, but can play spoiler and finally end the dwindling hopes that the Brewers might have.

Milwaukee will be glad to start their best pitcher in game one of the series, sending Yovani Gallardo (16-8, 3.59 ERA) to the mound. Gallardo has won eight straight games for the Brewers and holds a 10-game win streak against the Astros, who will counter with Edgar Gonzalez (2-1, 3.94 ERA).

The game will be at Miller Park at 7:10 p.m. CT.