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The Houston Astros will host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Minute Maid Park on Monday, July 29th, 2024, to kick off a three-game series. The Astros come into this matchup with a 55-50 record, leading the AL West, and a solid 30-22 record at home. The Pirates, who are 53-52 and sit third in the NL Central, have been competitive on the road with a 27-26 record. This game marks the first time these two teams meet this season.

The Astros have been formidable when their bats come alive, boasting a 43-26 record in games where they record eight or more hits. Yordan Alvarez has been a standout with 25 doubles, two triples, 20 home runs, and 54 RBIs. Jeremy Pena has also been hot recently, going 14-for-38 with two doubles, two home runs, and six RBIs over the last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Pirates have shown resilience with a respectable team ERA of 3.83, ranking sixth in the NL. Connor Joe and Oneil Cruz have led the charge offensively, with Cruz hitting .325 (13-for-40) over the last 10 games.

Both teams have been dealing with significant injuries, particularly in their pitching staffs. The Astros have several key players on the injured list, including Justin Verlander and Cristian Javier, while the Pirates are missing contributors like Nick Gonzales and Bailey Falter. Despite these setbacks, both teams have managed to maintain competitive records, setting the stage for an intriguing series opener.

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Pitcher Record a Win: Yes +129, No -179

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Paul Skenes has been stellar for the Pirates this season, posting a 6-1 record with an impressive 1.93 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP. In 74.2 innings pitched, he has struck out 97 batters while allowing only 52 hits and 13 walks. His dominance on the mound has been a key factor in the Pirates' success, and he will be looking to continue his strong performance against the Astros.

Jake Bloss, the probable starter for the Astros, has struggled in his limited appearances this season. With a 0-1 record, a 6.94 ERA, and a 1.63 WHIP, Bloss has allowed 16 hits and 5 home runs in just 11.2 innings pitched. The Pirates' hitters, led by Connor Joe and Oneil Cruz, will likely look to capitalize on Bloss's vulnerabilities and provide ample run support for Skenes.

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**Pittsburgh Pirates**

The Pirates have been competitive this season, with a team batting average of .252 and a team ERA of 3.83. They have found success with a combination of solid pitching and timely hitting. The Pirates rank 2nd in the league in hits (943) and 11th in runs (492). Their defense, however, has been a concern, with 43 errors, ranking 29th.

**Houston Astros**

The Astros have struggled offensively, with a team batting average of .232, ranking 25th in the league. They have managed to stay competitive thanks to their pitching, with a team ERA of 3.83, ranking 12th. Houston's defense has been slightly better, committing 51 errors, ranking 20th. The return of Yordan Alvarez and Jeremy Pena's recent hot streak could provide the needed spark for the Astros.