Game Thread: Musgrove Makes His Return To Houston

Joe Musgrove will take on the team he won a championship with in the rubber game matinee in Houston Thursday.

Musgrove (5-7, 4.57) turned in a gem against the Padres in his last start against the Padres, throwing a season high 39 sliders. Musgrove talked about wanting to throw his best pitch more in the postgame afterwards.

Musgrove’s slider has been hard to hit this year, averaging an 83.9 MPH exit velocity with a 20.4% whiff rate. This game may be a case of strength vs. strength though, as Houston’s .308 team xwOBA against sliders is the best in baseball.

Houston will start Brad Peacock (6-5, 3.62). He has been bit by the home run bug recently, allowing five long balls in his last three starts after surrendering just five in his first 13.

First pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m..

Lineups

Pirates

SS Kevin Newman

RF Bryan Reynolds

CF Starling Marte

DH Josh Bell

2B Colin Moran

LF Corey Dickerson

1B Jose Osuna

3B Jung Ho Kang

C Jacob Stallings

Astros

CF George Springer

2B Jose Altuve

3B Alex Bregman

DH Michael Brantley

LF Yordan Alvarez

1B Yuli Gurriel

RF Josh Reddick

C Max Stassi

SS Myles Straw