Preview of Astros-rays ALCS.

No. 6 ASTROS vs. No. 1 RAYS

SCHEDULE

Best of seven

At Petco Park

TV: TBS

Today: Astros LHP Framber Valdez (5-3, 3.57) vs. Rays LHP Blake Snell (4-2, 3.24), 4:35 p.m.

Monday: Astros RHP Lance Mccullers Jr. (3-3, 3.93) vs. Rays TBA, 1:05 p.m.

Tuesday: Rays TBA vs. Astros TBA, TBD

Wednesday: Rays TBA vs. Astros TBA, TBD

*Thursday: Rays TBA vs. Astros TBA, TBD

*Friday: Astros TBA vs. Rays TBA, TBD

*Saturday: Astros TBA vs. Rays TBA, TBD

*-If necessary

WHAT TO KNOW

Records: Astros 29-31 (2nd in AL West); Rays 40-20 (1st in AL East)

Head-to-head: Did not play in 2020. The Rays won four of seven in 2019, outscoring the Astros, 40-27.

Recent playoff history: Houston has advanced to its fourth straight ALCS, with its 2017 push earning a (controversial) world championship. The Rays are playing in their second ever ALCS after losing in the World Series in 2008 to the Phillies. The Astros eliminated Tampa Bay in five games in last year’s ALDS but finished the season losing to the Nationals in the World Series.

WAR leaders (fangraphs): Astros — RHP Zack Greinke (2.1), RHP Framber Valdez (2.0), OF George Springer (1.9), OF Kyle Tucker (1.6), OF Michael Brantley (1.3); Rays — 2B Brandon Lowe (2.3), SS Willy Adames (1.5), OF Kevin Kiermaier (1.3), RHP Tyler Glasnow (1.2), 1B Mike Brousseau (1.1).

Health check: A flexor strain forced RHP Oliver Drake, one of eight pitchers on the injured list, off the Rays’ ALDS roster, making him ineligible to return for this series. The Rays are holding out hope that RHP Jose Alvarado (shoulder, lat) could be an option this postseason. … Among the Astros’ injuries is RHP Justin Verlander, who has undergone Tommy John surgery and likely won’t pitch again until 2022. Houston is also without reigning AL Rookie of the Year Yordan Alvarez (knees) and closer Roberto Osuna (elbow).

MATCHUP TO WATCH

For all of the Rays’ pitching injuries, they ranked second in the AL with a 3.56 ERA. That had a lot to do with manager Kevin Cash matching up with a bullpen that led the majors with a 3.6 Wins Above Replacement (WAR, fangraphs.com) and was third with 2682⁄3 innings. RHP Nick Anderson (2-1, 0.55) was particularly tough, holding opponents to an .091 batting average in the regular season and averaging 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings. Anderson allowed two runs and struck out six batters against no walks in 71⁄3 innings this postseason. Look for Cash to have him help neutralize a righty-heavy Astros lineup averaging 6.7 runs a game this postseason. Righties Carlos Correa (1.715 OPS), Jose Altuve (.974 OPS), Alex Bregman (.944 OPS) and George Springer (.877 OPS) have all been stinging the ball this postseason. Correa’s four postseason homers are tops among players advancing to league championship series.

SAN DIEGO CONNECTIONS

OFS Hunter Renfroe and Manuel Margot were both sent to Tampa Bay from the Padres in two separate deals and have enjoyed their postseason debuts. Margot (Emilio Pagan trade) has homered twice and has a .919 OPS in six playoff games. Renfroe (Tommy Pham trade) is only 1-for-6 but he made it count with a grand slam. On the Astros’ side, RHP Lance Mccullers Jr.’s father pitched for the Padres from 1985 to 1988. Astros pitching coach Brent Strom is a San Diego native who pitched at San Diego High, San Diego City College and three seasons with the Padres (1975-1977).