Collin McHugh to start Astros’ regular-season finale

The Houston Astros are guaranteed to make the playoffs and won’t have to play in the American League Wild Card game. Those two facts are set but who the Astros will play is not set.

The Indians still hold the top record in the American League by one game, and basically, Cleveland has to fall on their face for Houston to slip into the top spot.

But the Astros still have a chance. Manager A.J. Hinch has kept his Sunday starter open with a chance of using his top starters to help secure the top spot.

Hinch announced his move for Sunday. RHP Collin McHugh will start for the Astros on Sunday.

McHugh, 30, is 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA during the month of September. He has only pitched eight innings over those three starts. But McHugh has allowed only three runs over his last 10 innings.

McHugh is 2-2 with a 4.76 ERA in five career starts against the Red Sox. He was 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA in two starts in 2016.