The Houston Astros host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Daikin Park with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM ET. Cristian Javier gets the ball for Houston against Arizona's Merrill Kelly in a late-season regular season matchup that carries real weight for both clubs. The game airs locally on Space City Home Network, with Spanish-language coverage available on La Campesina 101.9 FM & 860 AM and KLTN-TUDN 102.9 FM.

Pitching Matchup: Cristian Javier vs. Merrill Kelly

Javier takes the hill for the Astros in what is a significant late-season start. The right-hander has the kind of stuff — a riding fastball and a devastating changeup — that can make lineups uncomfortable, and a home start at Daikin Park gives him a familiar environment to work with. Arizona counters with Merrill Kelly, a durable veteran who earns his starts by pitching to contact and keeping his walks in check. Neither pitcher's current season stats were available at time of publication, so how they have fared in recent outings will be worth tracking before first pitch.

Houston Astros Lineup

• 1. Jeremy Peña, SS
• 2. Yordan Alvarez, DH
• 3. Isaac Paredes, 3B
• 4. Jose Altuve, 2B
• 5. Daulton Varsho, CF
• 6. Christian Walker, 1B
• 7. Taylor Trammell, RF
• 8. Yainer Diaz, C
• 9. LaMonte Wade Jr., LF

Arizona Diamondbacks Lineup

• 1. Geraldo Perdomo, SS
• 2. Corbin Carroll, RF
• 3. Gabriel Moreno, C
• 4. Ketel Marte, 2B
• 5. Lars Nootbaar, DH
• 6. Nolan Arenado, 3B
• 7. Max Kepler, LF
• 8. Tim Tawa, 1B
• 9. Ryan Waldschmidt, CF

Keys to Watch in This Matchup

Yordan Alvarez Hitting Second

The Astros have Yordan Alvarez slotted into the two-hole behind Jeremy Peña. Getting Alvarez into the lineup early and often is always the right idea. If Peña gets on base, Arizona's pitching staff immediately faces one of the most dangerous left-handed hitters in the game with a runner aboard. How Kelly chooses to attack Alvarez in his first at-bat will set the tone for the entire night.

Corbin Carroll at the Top of Arizona's Order

The Diamondbacks have Corbin Carroll hitting second behind Geraldo Perdomo. Carroll's speed and ability to put the ball in play make him a genuine threat to disrupt any rhythm Javier tries to establish. Keeping Carroll off the bases is a priority for Houston's defense and battery.

Nolan Arenado in the Middle of a Loaded Arizona Lineup

Arizona has assembled a lineup with legitimate veteran pop. Nolan Arenado hitting sixth means even if Javier navigates the top of the order, he cannot let his guard down. Marte and Carroll demand attention up top, but Arenado batting sixth is a luxury most teams don't have.

Prediction

This shapes up as a competitive, low-scoring ballgame. Javier has the ceiling to dominate when he's on, and pitching at Daikin Park with Alvarez and Altuve in the lineup gives Houston a clear advantage. The Astros take this one, 4-2.