Astros brace for tall task in slowing Cedric Mullins, Rays

While Junior Caminero had his franchise-record-tying streak of consecutive games with a home run snapped at six on Thursday, the Tampa Bay Rays extended their winning streak to eight.

The Rays capped a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals with a 5-2 victory and will open a three-game set at the Houston Astros on Friday night riding their longest winning streak since a 13-0 start in 2023.

Caminero didn’t continue his streak on Thursday, but Cedric Mullins homered for the third consecutive game and the seventh time since June 3.

“Two months ago, he was missing some pitches that were frustrating him that he normally handles,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said of Mullins. “Subtle adjustments here and there, and then just a lot of work to get that timing. Thrilled for what he’s doing because he’s another guy that can add that power element to our game.”

Right-hander Nick Martinez (7-2, 2.66 ERA) is the probable starter for the Rays in the series opener.

Martinez limited the Arizona Diamondbacks to one run on six hits with three strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings in a 6-1 victory last Friday. He improved to 6-1 with a 2.92 ERA over his last 11 starts.

Martinez is 4-5 with a 3.94 ERA over 15 career appearances (10 starts) against the Astros. In his previous appearance against them on May 9, 2025, Martinez allowed three runs on 10 hits with five strikeouts over six innings in a 3-0 loss with the Cincinnati Reds.

Right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (7-4, 4.00 ERA) has the starting assignment for the Astros on Friday.

Arrighetti allowed a season-worst eight runs on five hits — including three home runs — and five walks with seven strikeouts over a season-low three innings in an 8-0 road loss to the Detroit Tigers last Friday.

Named the American League Pitcher of the Month for April after going 4-1 with an 0.93 ERA, Arrighetti went 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA across five starts in June.

He made his lone career start against the Rays on Aug. 4, 2024, and took a 1-0 loss after allowing one run on five hits and two walks with 12 strikeouts across six innings.

Astros right-hander Cristian Javier will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list on Friday and will work out of the bullpen. Javier (0-1, 12.54 ERA in three outings) was placed on the IL with a Grade 2 shoulder strain on April 9. Of his 127 career appearances, 34 have come in relief.

“We looked into how he’s pitched, our need right now,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “Our starters, mapping out the next two weeks, just right now using him that way (makes sense). It doesn’t mean that he’s going to remain that way, but for now that’s the decision that we came to.

“All hands on deck. We need all these guys to stay healthy, but we’re also looking for some good performances from some of these guys. Our goal is to go day by day and see where it takes us.”

–Field Level Media