#Houston bats get it done

Though the Astros are currently without ace Justin Verlander, a young up-and-coming pitcher has stepped up to aid the pitching staff Sunday against the Rays.

Right-hander Christian Javier is following a rookie season in which he went 5-2 with a 3.48 ERA with an even better sophomore season. He is 3-0 and has allowed just two runs in four starts across 20 ²/₃ innings this season.

The 24-year-old be going up against the oldest active starting pitcher in the league, 41-year-old Rich Hill, who has been the opposite of lights out with a 7.25 ERA and five home runs surrendered in five starts, though he has a 1-1 record despite the struggles.

Typically, the Rays’ strength is their bullpen, but they entered the weekend 18th in the league in bullpen ERA while the Astros are 13th. That makes the fact that Hill has gone four innings or fewer in three of his five starts even more significant.

The Astros rank third the in MLB in runs-per-game on the road with 5.3 and the Rays strike out on 28.7 percent of at-bats at home, the fourth-highest rate in the league, so the Astros will be getting out of Tampa Bay with a win.

The Play: Astros, -136.