The week ahead: Pirates hit the road for Houston, Atlanta

Justin Guerriero TribLive Fri, May 29, 2026 • 06:01 AM

Houston Astros pitcher Mike Burrows throws to the Texas Rangers in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP)

The week ahead

At Astros

8:10 p.m. Tuesday (SN PIT)

8:10 p.m. Wednesday (SN PIT)

8:10 p.m. Thursday (SN PIT)

• The Astros entered their weekend series versus Milwaukee with a run differential of minus-41. That is despite tying for third in the big leagues in home runs (74), fifth in hits (472) and sixth in batting average (.246). As of May 28, the AL West featured the inverse dynamic of the NL Central, which still boasts all of its clubs being over .500. Not so for the Astros (25-32), Angels (22-35), Rangers (25-30), Athletics (27-29) and first-place Mariners (28-29). Former Pirates starter Mike Burrows, traded to Houston last December, has struggled so far as he’s 3-6 with a 5.40 ERA through 11 appearances.

At Braves

7:15 p.m. Friday (SN PIT)

4:10 p.m. Saturday (SN PIT)

1:35 p.m. Sunday (SN PIT)

• The Braves boasted the most wins in MLB (37) heading into the weekend, and that can in large part be attributed to solid starting pitching. Veterans Chris Sale (7-3, 1.87 ERA) and Martin Perez (2-3, 2.70 ERA), another former Pirate, have been solid, as has Bryce Elder (4-3, 2.50 ERA). Offensively, first baseman Matt Olson paces the club in homers (15), RBIs (44) and doubles (17).