NEW YORK (AP) — Houston manager A.J. Hinch has picked Lance McCullers Jr. over Brad Peacock to pitch against Yankees right-hander Sonny Gray in Game 4, with the Astros leading the series 2-1.

McCullers, an All-Star in July, finished 7-4 with a 4.25 ERA but hasn’t started since Sept. 30 or won since June 24. McCullers was sidelined from July 31 to Sept. 6, his second stint on the disabled list this year due to lower back discomfort, but made his first career relief appearance against the Red Sox in the Division Series.

Hinch says McCullers “has some of the best stuff in the big leagues and we believe in him.”

Meanwhile, Yankees Manager Joe Girardi says Austin Romine will catch the right-hander Gray, with regular backstop Gary Sanchez moving to designated hitter. Romine is New York’s best receiver. Sanchez tied for the major league lead with 16 passed balls in the regular season, and Gray’s big curveball can be difficult to block.

Game 4 gets started in New York at 2:08 p.m.

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