Happ, Astros battling struggling Cards

The only poor start J.A. Happ has had in an Astros’ uniform came Aug. 4 at St. Louis when he allowed seven runs, six hits and three walks in one inning. Otherwise, Happ has been pretty good since coming to Houston. He’s 3-2 with a 4.26 ERA in six starts with the Astros, holding opponents to a .207 batting average. He’s 3-0 with a 1.16 ERA in four starts this year at Minute Maid Park, one of which came with the Phillies before he was traded to Houston in July. Right-hander Jake Westbrook (1-2, 4.06 ERA) starts for the Cardinals, who are five games out in the NL Central race and in danger of being left in the Reds’ dust.

Here is the Astros’ lineup:

CF Michael Bourn

2B Angel Sanchez

RF Hunter Pence

LF Carlos Lee

3B Chris Johnson

1B Brett Wallace

SS Tommy Manzella

C Jason Castro

LHP J.A. Happ