PITTSBURGH - After waiting out the rain, the Houston Astros won a series behind a surging starter. Framber Valdez spun seven strong innings. An offense shut out a night earlier stirred. And the Astros won 8-2 in the rubber game of a series against the Pirates on Thursday at PNC Park.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are at home hosting the Houston Astros tonight at beautiful PNC Park in the first game of the series. Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads

The Pirates dropped 2 of 3 games at the San Diego Padres, losing 6-4 as +133 underdogs in the Sunday finale with the Over (8.5) hitting. Pittsburgh held an 83.9% win probability, according to ESPN Analytics, leading 4-1 with 1 out in the bottom of the sixth inning Sunday -- but was outscored 5-0 the rest of the way.