The Houston Astros are relying on their strong offensive core, including Jeremy Pena, Isaac Paredes, and Jose Altuve, who are currently topping the team’s batting order. However, with Paredes sidelined due to a hamstring strain for the opener of their series against the Minnesota Twins on Friday, the Astros made a strategic change by keeping Pena and Altuve in their usual spots while inserting Yainer Diaz into the two-hole position. This lineup adjustment paid off as Pena posted four hits and Altuve contributed three RBIs in Houston’s decisive 10-3 victory.
While Diaz managed one hit in five at-bats and scored a run, his placement between Pena and Altuve, who carried a .943 OPS entering Friday, provided an effective offensive balance. Astros manager Joe Espada noted the comfort and production Altuve brings batting third alongside Pena and Diaz.
He’s kind of in a comfort zone there,
Espada commented.
I like his production. I like where Pena is at right now. Diaz is swinging the bat well, so sandwich him in there between those two hot hitters. I thought it was a good fit.
—Joe Espada, Astros Manager
Hunter Brown to Start for Astros in Saturday’s Matchup
Right-hander Hunter Brown, who leads the American League with a 1.82 ERA and holds an 8-3 record, is set to take the mound for the Astros on Saturday. In his recent outing against the Cleveland Guardians, Brown pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing a single run on four hits while issuing five walks and striking out nine. Despite not logging a decision in that 5-3, 10-inning win, Brown has maintained consistency throughout the season, tallying ten quality starts to tie for first in the AL.
Though Brown’s past performance against the Twins is mixed—holding a 2-2 record with a 5.16 ERA over five starts—he secured a 5-2 victory in an April 3 game at Minnesota, where he conceded two runs on five hits and struck out eight over six innings. This makes Brown a critical element for the Astros as they aim to sustain momentum in the series.
Twins’ Joe Ryan Set for Saturday’s Start Against Astros
The Minnesota Twins will counter with right-hander Joe Ryan, who boasts a 7-2 record and a 2.96 ERA this season. Ryan recently earned a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, yielding three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks with six strikeouts across five innings. Ryan’s current form is impressive, as he remains unbeaten in his last eight starts, going 6-0 with a 2.35 ERA and accumulating 54 strikeouts over 46 innings.
Ryan’s previous outcomes versus Houston tell a different story; he holds a 2-4 record with a 7.58 ERA in six career starts against the Astros. On April 3, he departed a home loss after giving up four runs on five hits while striking out six during five innings.
Twins Adjust Lineup to Address Upcoming Left-Handed Pitchers
Following the Twins’ matchup with Astros left-hander Colton Gordon on Friday, Minnesota faces another southpaw, Brandon Walter, in the series finale on Sunday. To prepare for these left-handed starters, the Twins included only one pure left-handed hitter, designated hitter Matt Wallner, in Friday’s lineup. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli expressed the importance of keeping left-handed hitters active during stretches with several southpaws pitching.
We don’t know this for a fact, but we could be getting one if not two more in Cincinnati, too,
Baldelli said, referring to their upcoming road series.
I’d like to find ways to get one of our lefties in the lineup to keep them going, to keep them involved seeing pitches, and keep them locked in.
If you just leave them on the sidelines and run with the lineup that you start with, they’re just not going to play this week, almost at all.
—Rocco Baldelli, Twins Manager
Implications for Astros and Twins Moving Forward
Hunter Brown’s status as the AL ERA leader highlights his growing role in the Astros’ pitching rotation, making Saturday’s contest a vital opportunity to build on the team’s recent offensive success. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s commitment to adjusting their lineup for the challenges posed by Houston’s pitching staff demonstrates the strategic battle unfolding in this three-game series. The outcomes this weekend could significantly influence momentum for both teams as they head into upcoming road games, including the Twins’ series in Cincinnati.
The Astros will look to leverage their offensive depth and Brown’s pitching to secure victories, while the Twins aim to find the right offensive mix to counter strong pitching and regain stability amidst their ongoing chase.