Houston Astros Make Pitching Move That Could Impact Playoff Race with Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners

Rome added that France has been scratched with a family emergency.

How this will impact the Astros and their chances on Friday night, no one knows, but France has quietly been one of the better rookies in the American League this year.

He's 11-6 with a 3.83 ERA over 23 starts. He's thrown 136.1 innings and has struck out 101 batters. If the Astros make the playoffs again this year, he figures to join the bullpen - if he's selected to the postseason roster.

As for Urquidy, he's certainly a pitcher that comes in with plenty of experience as a starter. He's started 69 games in his career with the Astros, which began in 2019. He's gone 26-16 in that time and owns a lifetime 4.04 ERA.

He helped the Astros win the World Series in 2022.

The Astros game with the Diamondbacks begins at 9:40 p.m. ET as Urquidy is opposed by Zac Gallen.

Gallen, an All-Star this year, is 17-8 with a 3.49 ERA.

For scoreboard watching purposes, the Mariners play the Rangers at 10:10 p.m. ET.

The Astros also trail the Blue Jays by 1.0 game for the second wild card spot. They are playing the Rays at 7:07 p.m. ET.