Astros battle Padres at Minute Maid

The Astros try to make it three wins in a row when they open up a four-game series tonight against the Padres at Minute Maid Park. Here are the lineups:

ASTROS

2B Brian Bixler

SS Jed Lowrie

1B Carlos Lee

RF Brian Bogusevic

3B Chris Johnson

C Jason Castro

LF J.D. Martinez

CF Jordan Schafer

P Wandy Rodriguez

PADRES

RF Chris Denorfia

CF Cameron Maybin

3B Chase Headley

LF Carlos Quentin

1B Jesus Guzman

2B Logan Forsythe

SS Everth Cabrera

C Nick Hundley

P Ross Ohlendorf

Here are some pre-series notes:

• The Astros dropped five of their first eight contests at Minute Maid Park this season, but have since posted one of the NL’s best home records. The Astros are 18-12 at home since April 22, which is the second-best record in that span behind the Pirates (20-11).
• Pitching has been the main reason for Houston’s success at home, as the Astros have posted one of the major league’s largest improvements in ERA from a season ago. The Astros have a 3.44 ERA at home this year, compared to 4.60 last year.