Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez is not in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against left-hander Madison Bumgarner and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Astros appear to be giving Alvarez a routine breather. Marwin Gonzalez is replacing Alvarez as Houston's designated hitter and batting sixth.
numberFire’s models project Gonzalez for 7.3 FanDuel points and he has a $2,300 salary on Friday’s slate. Per our MLB Heat Map, the Astros have an implied total of 5.6 runs, which is second-highest in the majors on Friday. Bumgarner is registering a 20.5 strikeout percentage and a 6.6 walk percentage this season, with a 4.44 xERA and a .320 xwOBA.
Source: Baseball Press