Diamondbacks Astros: Houston starters lead weekend series
The Houston Astros open a three-game Diamondbacks Astros series Friday at Daikin Park, sending Cristian Javier, Ethan Pecko and Peter Lambert to the mound. Houston sits first in the AL West at 72-69; Arizona is 74-67 and second in the NL West. First pitch Friday is 8:10 p.m. ET on SCHN and Dbacks.TV.
Key Takeaways
- The Astros host Arizona for three games after taking three of four from the White Sox and building a two-game AL West lead over the Texas Rangers.
- Houston will start Cristian Javier, rookie Ethan Pecko and Peter Lambert; Arizona counters Friday with Merrill Kelly (9-12, 5.08 ERA).
- Ketel Marte is back at second base Friday after serving as DH in his first two games returned from absence.
- Friday's game is at 8:10 p.m. ET, available on SCHN, Dbacks.TV and via Fubo streaming.
Who are the Astros starting against the Diamondbacks?
Manager Joe Espada lined up three starters for the weekend set at Daikin Park. Cristian Javier draws Game 1 after a shaky August: a 5.79 ERA over five starts and 23.1 innings, with 15 earned runs on 30 hits, though he did strike out 21. The Athletic lists Javier at 1-5 with a 6.45 ERA entering the start.
Ethan Pecko is the probable Game 2 starter for his fourth major league outing. Houston has won each of his three starts despite a 6.23 ERA, nine strikeouts and a 1.54 WHIP. Peter Lambert closes the series Sunday after an August to forget and a recent 4.2-inning outing versus the Yankees in which he allowed three hits, walked five and struck out six.
Arizona, meanwhile, arrives cold at the plate after scoring only two runs while dropping a three-game series to the Philadelphia Phillies. Merrill Kelly is expected to oppose Javier on Friday, per The Athletic's how-to-watch guide.
Why does Ketel Marte's return matter for Arizona?
The Diamondbacks need every win in a crowded playoff chase, and Marte's glove is back where they want it. He returned earlier in the week after apologizing for an unexcused August 17 absence at Fenway Park, then DH'd the first two games against Philadelphia before a planned day off Wednesday.
Friday's lineup slots Marte at second base behind Geraldo Perdomo, Corbin Carroll and Gabriel Moreno, with Lars Nootbaar at DH. Marte owns a .761 OPS this season and has singled twice, walked and been hit by a pitch in two games since coming off the injured list. Defensively he has posted +3 Fielding Run Value and +2 Outs Above Average in 2026.
With Marte at second and Nootbaar DHing, utilityman Ildemaro Vargas sits while Tim Tawa remains at first base.
How can you watch the Diamondbacks Astros series?
Friday's opener tips at 8:10 p.m. ET from Daikin Park. Local TV options are SCHN and Dbacks.TV, with streaming available on Fubo. Moneyline odds are listed at Astros -110 and Diamondbacks -110 with an 8.5 total.
Houston's Yordan Alvarez has been a middle-of-the-order threat at .316/.433/.602 with 37 home runs and 94 RBIs. Arizona can lean on Corbin Carroll (.241/.337/.470, 19 homers, 21 steals) and Perdomo (.253/.360/.369).
For more timely alerts and market-style breakdowns beyond the diamond, browse our Fintech & Crypto Alerts hub. Series context and Houston's starter plan were first detailed by Yahoo Sports and Sports Illustrated's Diamondbacks coverage.