THE NEWS OF MULTIPLE PLAYERS on the Marlins and Phillies testing positive for Coronavirus on Monday has left Major League Baseball scrambling less than a week into the abbreviated season. For now, the Astros are scheduled for play, but things could change if more teams face the same fate.
Meanwhile, the Rockets begin the “bubble” portion of their season on Friday as the NBA seeks to reset the remainder of their 2019-20 campaign that came to sudden halt in early March.
Wednesday: With ace Justin Verlander likely lost for the season, the Astros will have to fill in the blank when they conclude their brief series against the Dodgers, a game that will be nationally televised on ESPN beginning at 6:10pm. Highly-touted rookie Dustin May, who held the Giants to one run over 4.1 innings in his first start of 2020, will get the nod for Los Angeles. AT&T Sportsnet Southwest will also have the game, with the pregame show starting at 5:30pm.
Thursday: Nothing on the schedule.
Friday: The Rockets return to action for the first time since March 10 when they take on the Mavericks in the first of an eight-game regular season that will be played in Orlando. Houston won the previous meeting against Dallas, a 128-121 decision on January 31. Both ESPN and AT&T Sportsnet Southwest will have live coverage, with the latter starting its pregame at 7:30pm.
The Astros hit the road for the first time this season when they visit the Angels in the first of what will be a three-city, nine-game road trip. Lance McCullers Jr. (1-0, 3.00 ERA) takes the mound for Houston, while Los Angeles has yet to name a starter. AT&T Sportsnet Southwest will have coverage (territorial restrictions, folks) starting at 7:30pm with the pregame show that will lead into the 8:10pm gametime.
Saturday: There’s more national coverage for the Astros, who will face the Angels on Fox starting at 6:15pm. Zack Greinke (0-0, 8.10 ERA) gets the call for Houston, while Los Angeles turns to Griffin Canning (5-6, 4.58 ERA in 2019).
