Yordan Alvarez will be looking to extend his 22-game on-base streak as the Houston Astros (15-13) host the San Francisco Giants (11-16) at Minute Maid Park on Monday for the opener of a three-game Interleague series.
The Giants are coming off a two-game sweep at the hands of the Padres, dropping the finale 6-4 on Sunday at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu for their third straight loss. J.D. Davis was 2 for 3 with a solo home run.
The Astros are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They lost two of three against the Phillies in their last series, taking the finale 4-3 on Sunday at Minute Maid Park.
Martin Maldonado went 2 for 3 with a double and one RBI. The teams are meeting for the first time since August 1, 2021, when the Giants finished off a 2-1 series win with a 5-3 victory at Oracle Park.
ON THE MOUND
Ross Stripling (0-1, 6.89 ERA) is set for the start for San Francisco. The righty allowed three runs (two earned) over 3.1 innings in his last start, a 5-4 road win over the Mets on April 23.
He scattered six hits while striking out one and walking one in the no-decision. Stripling made one start against the Astros in 2022, a 4-3 road victory for the Blue Jays on April 22.
He surrendered three runs on five hits over four innings, striking out two and walking one. Righty Luis Garcia (2-2, 4.00 ERA) is on the mound for Houston.
In his last start on Tuesday, Garcia got the win on the road against the Rays. He threw six scoreless innings and gave up three hits, striking out seven and walking two in the 5-0 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The San Francisco offense is averaging 4.7 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .245/.322/.437. Four Giants hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by LaMonte Wade Jr. (.959). The center fielder is slashing .243/.430/.529 with five home runs, eight RBIs, and 10 runs over 25 games.
Against righties like Garcia this season, the Giants have an .828 OPS, second highest in MLB. Davis is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a 1.081 OPS in 57 at-bats. Houston is slashing .245/.320/.378 for the season and averaging 4.6 runs per game.
Alvarez leads the team with a .931 OPS. The center fielder has six home runs, 27 RBIs, and 14 runs scored with a slash line of .272/.388/.543.
Houston is averaging only 2.4 runs per game in the last five with their slash line dropping across the board (.211/.262/.317). The ‘Stros have a .681 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .885 OPS over 64 at-bats, Kyle Tucker has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
San Francisco is 4-9 away from Oracle Park in 2023, scoring 5.7 runs per game while allowing 6.0 runs. Houston has gone 7-9 at Minute Maid Park this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.2. In the last 10 games at Minute Maid Park between the teams, each club has won five, though Houston has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.7-4.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Giants are fourth in the NL West, four games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Astros are second in the AL West, two games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros (-190)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
Watch the clock
