MLB Game Preview - Cleveland at Houston

Sat Apr 27, 2019 4:05 PM EDT

Last September must seem like eons ago for Houston Astros right-hander Josh James, whose scintillating debut during the stretch run of 2018 not only ignited a passionate fanbase, it set the table for James to earn a spot on the opening-day roster for the first time in his brief career.

James was 2-0 with a 2.35 ERA over six appearances (three starts) following his debut on Sept. 1. He recorded 29 strikeouts in 23 innings, made the playoff roster, and pitched with such velocity that he seemed a sure bet to serve as a versatile weapon for the Astros this season.

Instead, James has struggled mightily. He allowed his fourth home run on Friday in a 6-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians at Minute Maid Park, doing so in 13 2/3 innings (he allowed three homers last year). James saw his ERA balloon to 7.90 and didn't appear to be clear on what is wrong.

"It is frustrating but the good thing is I get to go back to work tomorrow, work on some stuff and get better," James said. "That's the only thing I can do."

James ultimately struck out the side in the ninth inning to run his season total to 20. But unlike last season, the strikeouts only tell part of his story.

"It's been tough for him. He hasn't had clean innings," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "He shows the stuff that he has and the capabilities. He's pitched in huge games for us in his short stint here because he's getting three punchouts almost routinely after the damage. It's tough at this level when you're not consistent and you spray the ball around the zone a little bit.

"I'm happy that he bounces back; that's a good sign because he's got plenty of stuff to get through his innings. But for him and for us, getting clean innings would be really important."

Right-hander Brad Peacock (2-1, 4.29 ERA) will start Saturday for the Astros, who have dropped the first two games of the series. He took the loss in a 9-5 setback against the Minnesota Twins on April 22, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks over five innings. Peacock is 0-1 with a 3.27 ERA over five career appearances (two starts) against the Indians, suffering that loss last season when he posted a 13.50 ERA over two relief appearances.

Right-hander Shane Bieber (2-1, 3.47 ERA) will start for the Indians on Saturday. Bieber is coming off his worst start of the season, allowing more earned runs (five over 2 1/3 innings in an 11-5 home setback) against the Atlanta Braves on April 21 than he did in his previous four appearances combined (four over 21 innings). It will mark the first career appearance against the Astros for Bieber, who did not face Houston during his rookie campaign in 2018.

Indians right fielder Tyler Naquin enjoyed a riveting homecoming Friday, delivering the go-ahead double in the seventh inning while finishing 2-for-4 with a run scored. Naquin, who attended Klein Collins High School in nearby Spring before staring at Texas A&M, has had his career derailed by injuries. For one game, those issues were forgotten.

"Injuries are injuries; we've talked about that enough," Naquin said. "So being able to come here and get that big hit -- I actually looked up in the second deck and saw this dude acting crazy and it was one of my high school coaches. He gave me some new life. It's special."

--Field Level Media