Porter keeping six-man rotation for now

HOUSTON -- Manager Bo Porter said on Thursday that he will stick with the six-man rotation through the end of this turn, which goes through Sunday, giving some of his arms some extra rest. Dallas Keuchel is on pace to throw 200 innings for the first time in his career, and Jarred Cosart isn't far behind.

Lefty Brett Oberholtzer, who will start Friday's Civil Rights Game, was called up to start last Saturday in Seattle, giving the starters an extra day of rest. Brad Peacock started on Thursday for the first time since May 18 because of some discomfort he experienced in his elbow last week in Seattle.

Keuchel (Saturday) and Scott Feldman (Sunday) will finish the series against Baltimore, at which point the Astros will use Monday's off-day to return to a five-man rotation. It's unclear which pitcher would be removed from the rotation, so performing well against the Orioles would serve Peacock and Oberholtzer well.

"Starting pitching has been arguably the strong point of our team," Porter said. "Getting them an extra day of rest this time through and giving them an off-day [on Monday] to get another day of rest, we feel like it's going to help us moving forward with the five guys we have in the rotation."