Houston has a three-game schedule at the Beach Waffles.

The Astros are making their first semi-regular trip to Sandy Eggo for a three-game series with the Friars. The last time the two teams met was last season from Sept. 8-10. Houston lost the first game before winning the final two games. In the series finale, the Astros allowed a dozen runs to Padres pitchers and won 12-2. Jose Altuve (16) hit a home run and totaled three RBIs, while Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker and Chas McCormick each had two hits. JP France (11-5, 3.61) earned the win by getting off to a good start, allowing one run in six innings. He struck out five strikeouts and allowed five walks, allowing four hits.

The series finale victory secured the Astros a winning record for the season. Houston will solidify a winning record for the season with its next win, likely against the Padres.

I thought we played pretty well. We’re excited. We’re as healthy as we can be right now and if we can get the ball rolling, we can win this division. It’s going to be exciting until the end, so we just have to make sure we win every game we can. — McCormick

Houston just completed a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels, putting it one game away from winning the season series (Houston leads 6-3 with four games remaining). Houston won the first two games 5-3 and walked off with a 6-4 victory on Sunday. Jason Heyward (8) led with two singles and a home run with two RBIs. Jeremy Peña collected two hits in the win, while Houston’s top four combined to go 0-for-16. Ronel Blanco (11-6, 2.88) pitched five strikeouts and pitched six shutout innings, allowing four hits and two walks. Josh Hader (31) made a two-out save after Caleb Ferguson got into trouble in the ninth inning.

You want the ball on the ground, but they found gaps. He was a little sluggish with the fastball, but a good changeup worked. — Ron Washington on rookie Caden Dana’s start

The Padres return to Petco Park after winning four games on a five-game road trip, finishing with a victory over the San Francisco Giants, including a 4-3 win in 10 innings on Sunday. Robert Suarez (9-3, 2.59) earned the win after blowing a save, while Luis Arraez and David Peralta each had two hits. Fernando Tatis Jr. (18) earned the win with a long pass to reliever Tyler Rogers.

Playing times and starting pitchers

Monday, 8:40 p.m. CT: Spencer Arrighetti (7-12, 4.72) vs. Yu Darvish (5-3, 3.52)
Tuesday, 8:40 p.m. CT: Hunter Brown (11-8, 3.59) vs. Michael King (12-9, 3.06)
Wednesday, 5:40 p.m. CT: Framber Valdez (14-6, 2.91) vs. Dylan Cease (13-11, 3.58)

Table position

Houston Astros: 81-68, .544, First in AL West, 4 ¹⁄₂ games ahead of the Seattle Mariners. Fifth in the American League, ¹⁄₂ Game behind the Kansas City Royals and two games ahead of the Minnesota Twins. Eleventh in MLB, tied with the New York Mets. Last 10: LWWLLLWWWW. On track for 88-74. Fangraphs predicts the same, with a 97.8 percent chance of making the playoffs.

San Diego Padres: 85-65, .567, second in the NL West, three games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fourth in the National League, 1 ¹⁄₂ Games behind the Milwaukee Brewers and 1 ¹⁄₂ Games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Sixth in MLB, one game behind the Cleveland Guardians. Last 10: WLWLLWLWWW. Heading to 92-70. Fangraphs predicts the same, with a 98.5 percent chance of making the postseason.

Heroes and losers (highest and lowest WPA against the Angels)

Heroines
Ryan Pressley 30.8
Ronel Blanco 24.6
Yusei Kikuchi 22.2
Jordan Alvarez 19.4
Jason Heyward 17.1

Zeros
Caleb Ferguson -3.7
Ben Gamel -5.9
Jake Meyers -8.5
Yainer Diaz -10.9
Taylor Scott -20.8