The Houston Astros got their massive four-game series against their first place division rival Seattle Mariners off on the right foot on Thursday night. With a chance to turn things on their head this weekend,

Entering Friday, the Astros only trailed the Twins by fWAR as the most valuable bullpen in baseball through the season’s first forty-something games. Joe Espada’s decision to remove Bryan King in favor of Bryan Abreu to face Julio Rodríguez with a runner on base was the turning point.

Starter Hayden Wesneski was ruled out for the season on Sunday, and Ronel Blanco has become the latest pitcher added to the injured list due to concerning elbow inflammation. Additionally, the team is still missing Spencer Arrighetti in its starting rotation because of a broken finger, and he is likely to be out for a few more weeks.

With the slimmest of leads, Joe Espada summoned a matchup. The potential tying run toed first base with two outs in the seventh. Julio Rodríguez loomed for Seattle. Right-hander Bryan Abreu trotted in from the Houston Astros bullpen to face a familiar foe.

The Houston Astros, as they have made a yearly routine out of doing, are right back in the mix in the American League West after a slow start. It took until April 18 and 19 for them to win back-to-back games this season and they are currently sporting a 26-24 record entering play on May 23,