San Diego Padres Lineup for Finale vs Astros, Kirby Yates Update

After splitting the first two games of their three-game set with the Astros, the San Diego Padres will square off in the rubber match today in Houston.

It looks as if the San Diego Padres will be playing under the warm Texas sun today, as the roof at Minute Maid Park was open before game time, via an image posted by Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune this morning.

After leaving last night’s game after throwing just one pitch in the seventh inning before coming out with an ankle injury, again as per Acee, Kirby Yates was throwing in the outfield during warmups.

Kirby Yates tested his ankle this morning, threw in the outfield

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Kevin hit this one on the head here when he alluded to the fact that not much can be made of this from an outsiders perspective.

Yates was simply giving things a go, likely seeing where he stood afterward, which is most definitely the safe play.

The Padres’ bullpen has been quite effective so far. Though Yates is simply a cog, his veteran presence would surely be missed by a young Friars relief corps. Hopefully, A disabled-list stint isn’t in his future.

Green giving Padres a different look today

From AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, here is the lineup the Padres will be sending out behind Tyson Ross as they look to take two-of-three from the defending World Series champions, the Houston Astros.

As you can see, manager Andy Green is mixing things up a bit today. He’s moved Carlos Asuaje into the leadoff spot, last night’s goat Eric Hosmer into the two-hole with Jose Pirela hitting behind him.

Christian Villanueva, hitting .286 with a 1.158 OPS, is hitting cleanup playing third base while Chase Headley will get some at-bats today as the designated hitter.

Hunter Renfroe, Freddy Galvis, Austin Hedges, and the slowly-coming-around Manuel Margot in the nine-spot giving this team a much different look at the bottom of the batting order.

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Pitching today for the Astros is the right-hander, Charlie Morton. Morton, 34, threw six scoreless innings, striking out six and walking two in a win over the Baltimore Orioles on Monday.