HOUSTON (Interstat) — The St. Louis Cardinals, riding momentum from a series win over Cleveland, open a three-game set against the struggling Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Friday night.

The Cardinals (10-8) arrive after taking two of three from the Guardians, including a 5-3 victory Wednesday highlighted by a strong start from right-hander Dustin May. He allowed one earned run over six innings, his second such quality start in his last three outings. St. Louis will turn to right-hander Kyle Leahy (1-2) in the series opener.

Houston (8-11) looks to build on its own 3-1 win over Colorado from Wednesday. Right-hander Spencer Arrighetti delivered a dominant performance in that victory, striking out 10 and allowing just two hits over six innings of one-run ball. He will take the mound for the Astros.

Despite the Astros’ sub-.500 record, statistical models show a close contest. Interstat’s ELO system gives Houston a 56.6% probability to win, though its game simulator projects a 6-2 Cardinals victory.

The Cardinals have won four of their last six games. The Astros, after a difficult West Coast road trip where they lost five of six in Seattle and Colorado, have won two straight at home.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CDT under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature near 78 degrees.

Following this series, the Cardinals continue a road trip with three games in Miami. The Astros will host the Cardinals for two more before heading to Cleveland for a three-game series starting Monday.