Yordan Alvarez remains the engine for this Astros offense, and Jeremy Peña gives them a second bat teams have to respect in the middle of the order. Houston's dealing with its own absences — Carlos Correa is still working his way back from an ankle injury, and Brice Matthews isn't expected back until later in August — but this roster has enough pop up top to cover for it against a Giants team that's been outscored badly during its funk.
Buster Posey and company have made clear they're sticking with Tony Vitello through this stretch, treating the summer as a chance to get a look at younger players rather than chase a long-shot playoff push. That's the right process move for the franchise, but it doesn't do much for the Giants tonight against a team that just beat them and has a real ace on the mound.
- 10-Day-ILBrice Matthews (CF) — General manager Dana Brown said Sunday that the Astros are targeting "mid-August, potentially the third week of August" for Matthews' (knee) return from the 10-day injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.08/05
- 15-Day-ILMike Burrows (SP) — Burrows (elbow) will make a rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.08/11
- 60-Day-ILCarlos Correa (SS) — Correa (ankle) has been cleared to hit off a tee, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.08/11
- 60-Day-ILBrandon Walter (SP) — The Astros announced Friday that Walter (elbow) is in the midst of a throwing progression at the team's complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.06/04
- 10-Day-ILDaniel Susac (C) — Susac (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday.08/11
- 10-Day-ILMarcelo Mayer (2B) — Mayer (forearm) could be cleared to begin a rehab assignment next week, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.08/07
- 10-Day-ILMatt Chapman (3B) — Chapman (abdomen) will undergo season-ending surgery Tuesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.08/07
- 10-Day-ILVictor Bericoto (RF) — Bericoto (oblique) went 1-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Triple-A Sacramento's 13-10 extra-innings loss to Round Rock on Wednesday.08/06
- 10-Day-ILHarrison Bader (CF) — Giants manager Tony Vitello said Thursday that Bader (foot) won't return from the 10-day injured list before the end of the season, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.08/02
- 10-Day-ILJesus Rodriguez (C) — The Giants placed Rodriguez on the 10-day injured list Saturday due to right elbow neuritis, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.08/02
- 10-Day-ILCasey Schmitt (LF) — Schmitt (knee) underwent a debridement of his lateral meniscus Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.07/31
- 15-Day-ILTrevor McDonald (SP) — McDonald is scheduled to undergo UCL reconstruction surgery in early August, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.07/29
- 60-Day-ILMatt Gage (RP) — Gage (elbow) threw a bullpen session Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.08/11
- 60-Day-ILJoel Peguero (RP) — Peguero (hamstring) threw a 15-pitch live bullpen session Friday at the Giants' facility in Arizona, MLB.com reports.08/02
- 60-Day-ILRowan Wick (RP) — The Giants placed Wick (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Sunday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILHayden Birdsong (RP) — Birdsong underwent successful UCL reconstruction surgery on his right elbow Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILRandy Rodriguez (RP) — The Giants placed Rodriguez (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILJose Butto (RP) — The Giants transferred Butto (arm) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.05/08
First pitch at Oracle Park is set for 6:45 PM PT, with the Astros looking to close out the series and keep San Francisco's skid rolling.