Sports Post

Rockets hope Friday night will include tip-off at Toyota Center
THE WEEKEND FOR AREA sports is large enough to where the baseball and softball playoffs,
along with the state track and field finals, have their own space in this sports section.
Meanwhile, the Astros continue their home stand against the Royals and Rangers while the
Rockets are hoping to have a reason to be at Toyota Center on Friday night.
Wednesday: Brad Peacock (2-2, 5.28 ERA) gets the start for the Astros in the series finale
against the Royals beginning at 7:10pm. Kansas City will counter with Danny Duffy (0-1, 3.27
ERA) when AT&T Sportsnet begins game coverage shortly after starting the night with the
pregame show at 6:30pm.
The Rockets will travel back to California for Game 5 of their Western Conference Semifinals
against the Warriors at 9:30pm. Houston captured Game 3 in overtime on Saturday and had a
chance to knot the series at 2-2 with a victory at Toyota Center on Monday night. TNT has the
national coverage.
Thursday: After making a pair of trips to Arlington, the Astros will finally play host to the
Rangers in the first of a four-game series starting at 7:10pm. Wade Miley (2-2, 3.20 ERA) will
start for Houston, while Mike Minor (3-2, 2.40 ERA) gets the nod for Texas. Both AT&T
Southwest (Astros) and Fox Sports Southwest (Rangers) will start their pregame shows at
6:30pm.
Friday: The Astros give the ball to Justin Verlander (5-1, 2.86 ERA) in the second game of the
series against the visiting Rangers. Texas turns to Lance Lynn (4-2, 5.75 ERA) when the first pitch
is thrown at 7:10pm. Again, it’s a double-dip for Astros (AT&T Sportsnet Southwest) and
Rangers (Fox Sports Southwest) on the cable airwaves, as both will get going at 6:30pm with
their respective pregame shows.
Rockets fans are hoping the adage if necessary becomes reality, as Game 6 of the Western
Conference Semifinals would be played in Houston. ESPN would have the game live, although a
start time would hinge on the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Bucks and Celtics.
Saturday: The lights will be on at Minute Maid Park when Gerrit Cole (2-4, 3.95 ERA) takes the
mound for the Astros against Rangers hurler Drew Smyly (0-2, 6.63 ERA) beginning at 7:10pm.
AT&T Sportsnet Southwest and Fox Sports Southwest will have the game live starting with their
respective pregame shows at 6:30pm.