Three straight losses for the Houston Astros have derailed the momentum they had in the AL West. Wednesday, they will look to avoid being swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a heavy favorite. With Mauricio Dubon not in the released Astros lineup for today I will pivot to Jeremy Pena. Pena gets an opportunity batting in the fifth spot. He had been on a nine game hitting streak which has been derailed with an 0 for 11 three game stretch. He snaps out of the mini rut and has a big game today.

Are the Astros really going to get swept at home? The Bucs are thin in the rotation right now due to injury/trade and thus are going with journeyman Jake Woodford, who was 0-2 with a 10.80 ERA earlier this year with the White Sox. Any team that picks up a pitcher waived by the White Sox should be relegated or fined or both. Woodford was pretty bad last year for St. Louis as well. Houston's Framber Valdez has not allowed more than three earned since mid-June and has a 2.16 ERA in four starts this month.