SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — The forecast calls for 76 degrees and cloudy skies at Petco Park on Friday, where the San Diego Padres open a three-game series against the Houston Astros. San Diego (60-56) is one game better than Houston (59-57). The Padres closed a four-game trip to Arizona on Thursday with a 5-1 victory, splitting the series. Ty France had two hits and drove in a run, Bradgley Rodriguez pitched two scoreless innings and Walker Buehler allowed one earned run over four innings with three strikeouts. Houston arrives after a 5-4, 10-inning loss to Toronto on Wednesday. Jose Altuve had two hits, including a home run, and Bryan Abreu struck out two in a scoreless inning. The Astros have won four of their last six, but they have dropped two of their last three. Houston’s player to watch is right-hander Hunter Brown. In his most recent outing Wednesday, Brown allowed three earned runs over six innings and struck out eight. He threw seven scoreless innings at Chicago on July 25 and allowed two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings against Texas on July 31. San Diego’s player to watch is right-hander Walker Buehler. Buehler earned a victory Thursday at Arizona, allowing one earned run in four innings with three strikeouts. He also beat San Francisco on Aug. 1 and Miami on July 26. Buehler has won each of his past five starts. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-6 San Diego victory. Interstat’s ELO system gives the Padres a 54.4 percent chance to win. Houston has been installed as a minus-1.5 run-line favorite, and the over/under is 8 runs. The series continues Saturday and Sunday at Petco Park. Houston then travels to San Francisco for three games, while San Diego hosts Milwaukee for three games.