WHILE THE ASTROS SEEK to shake off a sluggish start, the Rockets will begin the road to the NBA Finals when they tip off against the Thunder the Western Conference opening round. Despite neither team having any sort of homecourt advantage in the Orlando Bubble, Houston — as the fifth seed — will play the role of “road” team for the first two games.
Sunday: The Astros go with Lance McCullers Jr. (2-1, 6.10 ERA) in the series finale against the Mariners beginning at 1:10pm. Rookie Justus Sheffield (1-2, 5.27) gets the nod for Seattle. AT&T Sportsnet Southwest starts coverage with the pregame show at 12:30pm.
Monday: One of the surprise teams of the shortened season arrives to Minute Maid Park when the Rockies open a three-game set against the Astros starting at 8:10pm. Brandon Bielak (2-0, 1.76 ERA) will start for Houston and will be opposed by Kyle Freeland, who comes in with a 2-0 record and 2.45 ERA. AT&T Sportsnet Southwest will start coverage at 7:30pm.
Tuesday: It’s a daytime start for the Astros, who meet the Rockies for a 2:10pm start. Zack Greinke (1-0, 2.53 ERA) gets the call for Houston, while Colorado counters with Antonio Senzatela (3-0, 3.91 ERA). AT&T Sportsnet Southwest’s pregame show gets things underway at 1:30pm.
Postseason in the Bubble begins for the Rockets, who open their best-of-seven series against the Thunder beginning at 5:30pm. Houston will be without All-Star Russell Westbrook, who will miss at least the first two games with a lower body injury. TNT will have the game nationally, while AT&T Sportsnet Southwest will also have the game immediately after the conclusion of the Rockies-Astros contest.
