The Cardinals are throwing left-hander Steven Matz in a day game after a night game, so the Astros will give Alvarez a bit of a breather. Jose Altuve will slide to DH, which will allow Chas McCormick to make a start in left field and bat ninth.

Alvarez gave the Astros an insurance run in the eighth inning with a home run off Kyle Leahy to straightaway center field. It was the second home run of the season for the 27-year-old slugger as he’s been off to a relatively cold start. He’s slashing .224/.333/.362 with 10 RBI over 72 plate appearances.

Alvarez already had a single and a sac fly on the day when he took Griffin Jax deep to tie the game in the ninth. The later went ahead on a Jose Altuve single in the 10th. Alvarez’s homer was his first in nine games this season. His relatively slow start might continue in Seattle this week, but it’s only a matter of time until he truly busts out.