TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (14-22) will try to even up their three-game series with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers (22-13) tonight in a Cinco De Mayo matchup at Daikin Park.
RHP Peter Lambert (1-2, 3.52 ERA) will get the start for the Astros, his fourth of the season, opposite RHP Shohei Ohtani (2-1, 0.60 ERA) and the Dodgers.
Advertisement
ABOUT TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP Peter Lambert has been solid in his three starts for the Astros, going 1-2 with a 3.52 ERA (6ER/15.1IP) with 19 strikeouts and a .211 opponent average.
His advanced metrics back up his counting stats, as he ranks in the 93rd percentile in whiff % (34.1), 87th percentile in xBA (.201) and 86th percentile in K% (28.8).
Lambert joined the Astros via free agency this offseason after pitching last year for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the NPB, posting a 3.98 ERA (55ER/124.1IP) with 111 strikeouts in 23 appearances in Japan.
He began this season at Triple A Sugar Land (1.84 ERA in three appearances) before being called up to join the rotation on April 17.
Advertisement
SHO STOPPERS: The Astros have faced RHP Shohei Ohtani in 14 starts in his illustrious career, in which they’ve held their own, posting a 3-6 record and a 3.89 ERA (30ER/69.1IP) on the perennial AllStar.
It comes as no surprise, LF Yordan Alvarez has the most career success of any Astro off Ohtani, as he’s hitting .333 (5×15) with a double, homer and four RBI in 18 plate appearances.
VS. THE DODGERS: The Astros and Dodgers will forever be connected by the 2017 World Series, which was won by Houston in a thrilling seven games.
Since that 2017 season began, the Astros and Dodgers have been the two top clubs in baseball, in terms of regular season wins and playoff wins. Since the 2017 World Series, the Astros are 11-10 against the Dodgers in the regular season and have won six of the last eight games.
Advertisement
In their last meeting, the Astros swept the Dodgers in a three-game series at Dodger Stadium (July 4-6, 2025), outscoring the Dodgers 29-6 in the three games.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES: The Astros have made the following roster moves:
• RHP Jason Alexander and OF Zach Dezenzo have been recalled from Triple A Sugar Land.
• IF Nick Allen has been reinstated from the 10-day IL.
• C Yainer Diaz has been placed on the 10-day IL today with a left oblique strain.
• OF Dustin Harris has been designated for assignment.
• RHP Ryan Weiss was optioned to Triple A last night.
FAMILIAR FOE: 1B Christian Walker has 29 career homers vs. the Dodgers (in 94 games), which ties his most against any opponent (also, COL). His .875 career OPS vs. LAD is the highest among any active player (min. 300 PA), while his 29 homers rank third among active players.
Advertisement
HIT PAREDES: IF Isaac Paredes has hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games dating back to April 19, a span in which he’s hitting .352 (19×54) with two doubles, three homers, nine RBI and a .972 OPS. Entering tonight, he’s hit safely in a season high six straight games at a .435 (10×23) clip.
THE ORDER: The Astros have used 36 different batting orders in their 36 games so far this season, with only LF Yordan Alvarez has started every game in the same spot in the lineup (second).
A TRADE WORTH REVISITING: When the Astros play the Dodgers, it’s always worth revisiting the trade that brought LF Yordan Alvarez to Houston.
With the Astros teetering in and out of the 2016 playoff picture, the club moved on from reliever RHP Josh Fields at the trade deadline, sending him to the Dodgers straight up for Alvarez, who had just signed with the Dodgers months prior and had not played in an official game with the organization.
Advertisement
Since the trade, the Astros and Dodgers should have no remorse, as both teams have won, with Houston winning two World Series (2017, 2022) and the Dodgers three (2020, 2024-25).
BUSY NIGHT IN THE LAND: Three Astros pitchers will be on rehab assignments tonight at Triple A Sugar Land as they host the Albuquerque Isotopes (COL).
RHP Tatsuya Imai (arm fatigue) will get the start and will be followed by LHP Josh Hader (left biceps tendinitis) and RHP Nate Pearson (recovery from right elbow surgery).
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2004 – RHP Roger Clemens passes LHP Steve Carlton for second on the all-time strikeout list, for the time being, behind another pitcher with Astros ties, RHP Nolan Ryan. Clemens now ranks third all-time in K’s with 4,672, as he was later passed by LHP Randy Johnson (4,875).
Advertisement
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Tuesday, May 5, 7:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Streaming: SCHN+
Radio: KTRH 740 AM, KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
Read the full article here
