Astros to use bullpen game in Wild Card opener against White Sox

Houston will use a bullpen game in Tuesday’s Wild Card opener against the White Sox, Joe Espada said. Hunter Brown won’t start after throwing 100 pitches over 5⅓ innings Friday; starting Tuesday would leave him with only three days’ rest.

Espada did not name a starter. Right-hander AJ Blubaugh is a strong candidate to work multiple innings; he posted a 113 ERA+ and allowed 7.1 hits per nine in 96 regular-season innings.