Mets host the Astros in first of 3-game series

Houston Astros (67-67, first in the AL West) vs. New York Mets (60-74, fifth in the NL East)

New York; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Astros: Hunter Brown (3-3, 3.51 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 76 strikeouts); Mets: Christian Scott (4-3, 3.73 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 111 strikeouts)

LINE: Astros -131, Mets +107; over/under is 7 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets host the Houston Astros on Friday to begin a three-game series.

New York is 60-74 overall and 31-37 in home games. The Mets have a 40-5 record in games when they scored at least five runs.

Houston has a 67-67 record overall and a 34-32 record in road games. The Astros have a 31-6 record in games when they did not give up a home run.

The teams meet Friday for the first time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Carson Benge has 17 doubles, three triples and 16 home runs for the Mets. Bo Bichette is 11 for 37 with two doubles, a triple, two home runs and four RBI over the last 10 games.

Yordan Alvarez has a .319 batting average to lead the Astros, and has 28 doubles, a triple and 36 home runs. Daulton Varsho is 10 for 42 with two home runs and four RBI over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Mets: 5-5, .245 batting average, 4.23 ERA, outscored by nine runs

Astros: 4-6, .221 batting average, 5.36 ERA, outscored by 15 runs

INJURIES: Mets: Bo Bichette: day-to-day (hand), Mark Vientos: 10-Day IL (hand), Jorge Polanco: 10-Day IL (ankle), Justin Hagenman: 60-Day IL (rib), Cionel Perez: 15-Day IL (forearm), Devin Williams: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Juan Soto: 10-Day IL (calf), Reed Garrett: 60-Day IL (elbow), Tylor Megill: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Astros: Jeremy Pena: day-to-day (hand), Mike Burrows: 15-Day IL (elbow), Brice Matthews: 60-Day IL (knee), Carlos Correa: 60-Day IL (ankle), Brandon Walter: 60-Day IL (elbow)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.