Astros vs Brewers Preview & Prediction: Records, Pitching Matchups and More| Game - 01

Although both the Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros have seen their fair shares of playoff action, only one of the two club currently stands in playoff position. This weekend, the inter-divisional series will give each side a chance to improve their stead.

Having won the NL Central in three of the past five seasons, the Brewers are once again off to a strong start. This stands in direct contrast to the Astros, who despite laying claim to the AL West title in every year since 2017, now stand last in one of MLB's most contested divisions.

Astros vs Brewers Preview

This weekend will mark the Brewers' first game in Houston since the 2013 season. With a record of 26-17, manager Pat Murphy's club is comfortably ahead in the NL Central, having increased their lead over the Chicago Cubs to two games.

While the Astros endured a particularly grim start to the season, Houston is beginning to look more like their old selves. Following a three-game sweep of the Athletics last week, manager Joe Espada's club are now on a five-game winning streak, having won seven of their last ten, the club is now 19-25.

The series at Minute Maid Park will run from Friday through Sunday, with start times of 7:10. 6:10, and 1:10 respectively.

Astros vs Brewers Probable Pitchers

Game 1

Right-hander Freddy Peralta will get the start for Milwaukee in the first game of the series. The 27 year-old has been a member of the club since making his MLB debut in 2018. Currently, Peralta is 3-1 with a 3.63 ERA on the season.

"Friday Night Lights Out. Freddy Peralta is dealing" - MLB

For the Astros, Hunter Brown will get the ball. Brown has struggled consistently this season, and now owns a 0-4 record to accompany his 7.79 ERA. Despite the rocky start to the year, Brown did pitch five innings against the Detroit Tigers on May 11, striking out seven and allowing just one run over that time.

Game 2

Bryse Wilson is set to make the start for Milwaukee in the second game of the series. None of the right hander's 53 appearances last season came in the form of a start, but Saturday will mark the 26 year-old's sixth start of 2024. Across 34 innings so far, Wilson is 2-1 with a 2.65 ERA.

Veteran ace Justin Verlander is scheduled to make his fifth start of the season. A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Verlander tossed seven shutout innings against the Tigers last Sunday. Now 2-1 on the season, the 41 year-old owns a 1.57 ERA across four career starts against Milwaukee.

"Justin Verlander bounced back in a huge way against his former team!" - Foul Territory

Game 3

The Brewers are expected to trot out Colin Rea for the series finale. A 33 year-old journeyman, Rea's 3.45 ERA on the season so far puts him on course for a career showing.

Rea's opponent is set to be Spencer Arrighetti for the Houston Astros. Arrighetti, 24, earned his first win of the season last Monday against the Oakland Athletics, but has otherwise been rather unreliable. Over the course of 26.1 innings this year, the freshman pitcher has surrendered 22 earned runs, saddling him with an ERA of 7.52.

Astros vs Brewers Prediction

The Astros have seen a solid run lately. After dealing with the Tigers and Athletics rather easily, the club will face a challenge with the Brewers. While unfamiliarity may play to Houston's advantage, the Brewers are scoring more runs, and boast decidedly better pitching.

Perhaps Verlander could help his team eek out a win in the second game, but Brown and Arrighetti have shown little proof this season that they will be able to keep the potent Milwaukee offense at bay. Expect Milwaukee to carry the series.