Two teams overcoming problems to put together winning streaks in this most unusual season open a three-game series at Petco Park in San Diego on Friday night.
The Houston Astros arrive riding an eight-game winning streak, although their injury list continues to grow.
And the host San Diego Padres have won four consecutive games despite continuing bullpen problems thanks to an offense that Thursday became the first in major league history to hit grand slams in four consecutive games.
The series opens with a match of right-handed Tommy John graduates -- the Astros' Lance McCullers (March 2019) and the Padres' Garrett Richards (July 2018).