Houston Astros Roster
- AL West
- Stadium
- Minute Maid Park
Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker is taking a seat on the bench for Friday night's game against the Seattle Mariners. Tucker will give way to Chaz McCormick in right field, who will bat eighth against Mariners' southpaw Yusei Kikuchi. Tucker's fantasy managers should expect him back for the second game of the series. The 24-year-old is batting just .204, but seven of his 10 hits have gone for extra bases this year, including four homers.
Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa could be tasked with shouldering more offensive responsibility this weekend against the Mariners. The Astros placed teammates Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez on the injured list due to COVID protocols and the team could be without all three this weekend. Correa is off to a solid start this season, slashing .292/.346/.542 with three doubles, three home runs and six runs batted in through 48 at-bats. Correa will be a free agent at the end of the season and is banking on a strong offensive season. Expect Correa to hit in the middle of the lineup through the weekend series against the Mariners.
Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley and Co. will open up a series in Seattle beginning Friday. The veteran slugger is off to another solid start, slashing .324/.361/.676 with seven extra-base hits through his first 34 at-bats. Brantley has been one of the most consistent producers in the American League the past few seasons and once again is delivering for the Astros. Strangely, Brantley struggled away from Minute Maid Park last season, posting a mediocre .694 OPS through 91 at-bats. But fantasy teams should take this with a grain of salt, after posting a .897 mark during a full 2019 campaign. Brantley brings a high floor in DFS for this weekend's action.
Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado joined four other Astros players on the injured list due to health and safety protocols on Wednesday. The hope is this move is out of an abundance of caution and Maldonado, in theory, could return to the field beginning Friday. The timing of this really stings after signing a one-year extension with the team on Tuesday. Maldonado is known as a strong defensive catcher but is only 3-for-33 on the season and currently is not fantasy viable.
Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was placed on the injured due to health and safety protocols Wednesday. The young slugger joins four other Astros placed on the list but there are no confirmed reports whether any of the players have tested positive for COVID-19. Alvarez is off to a decent start, slugging .500 with two home runs and four doubles through his first 46 at-bats. Alvarez can be cleared to return for Friday's action but fantasy teams will need to monitor this situation closely before making out their lineups.