Series Preview: Houston Astros at San Francisco Giants, August 11-12, 2015

Series Preview: Houston Astros at San Francisco Giants, August 11-12, 2015

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times for the Astros. Houston has been in first place for close to 100 days this season, but have gone on numerous losing streaks this season. That includes the Astros current road trip where they are  1-6 against the Rangers and Athletics. The Astros have lost four one-run games during that stretch.

Now, Houston faces the reigning World Series Champion San Francisco Giants. Of course, during the Astros' period of struggling they will have to face Madison Bumgarner.

The Giants currently sit 2 1/2 games behind the Dodgers at 59-52. San Francisco was swept in Chicago by the Cubs in a four-game series -- the team is 3-7 in their last 10 games.

Pitchers

Tuesday: LHP Scott Kazmir (6-6, 2.08 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) vs. LHP Madison Bumgarner (12-6, 3.28 ERA, 1.10 WHIP)
Wednesday: RHP Scott Feldman (4-5, 4.46 ERA, 1.32 WHIP)  vs. RHP Chris Heston (11-6, 3.48 ERA, 1.20 WHIP)

The Astros roll with two Scotts into San Francisco, first of which is Scott Kazmir. Kazmir has been just what the doctor ordered for Houston. He pitched 14 2/3 scoreless innings to start his Astros career. Kazmir struggled a bit in his last start, allowing four run over 5 2/3 in Arlington on Aug. 5. The Astros lefty has made only one start against the Giants in his career -- he pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out nine.

Madison Bumgarner has pitched at least seven innings in his last three starts. In two of those three starts, he allowed just one run in both and striking out a total of 17 batters. But in one game against the Rangers on July 31, he allowed six runs over seven innings. Bumgarner is 3-1 with a 2.93 ERA in four career starts against the Astros.

Scott Feldman in four starts since being activated from the disabled list, Feldman has a 3.65 ERA. He is 0-3 with a 5.54 ERA in four games at AT&T Park.

Chris Heston pitched a two-hitter against the Astros on May 12, striking out 12. He would go on to pitch a no-hitter at New York five starts later. In two starts in August, he is 0-1 with a 8.31 ERA in 8 2/3 innings with only three strikeouts.

Hitting

Jose Altuve is back on track, batting .308 in his last 26 at-bats with two stolen bases. Only Altuve and Luis Valbuena are batting over .250 in the team's last six games. Jed Lowrie is batting .231 with two doubles, three runs scored, three RBIs, and four walks.

Buster Posey, Matt Duffy, Ehire Adrianza, and Hunter Pence are all batting over .340 in the team's last six games. Posey is batting .421 with two runs and two RBIs in his last 19 at-bats. Duffy and Adrianza each have three doubles in their last six games.

Prediction

The Astros split the two-game series. Bumgarner will be tough to beat and Chris Heston has struggled this month, which will result in one win in San Francisco.

✮✮✮

Editor's Note: SB Nation's partner FanDuel is hosting a $125,000 one-day fantasy baseball league today. It's $2 to join and first place wins $10,000. Enter now! Here's the link.