LEADING OFF: Marlins’ Gallen makes debut, Astros meet Yanks

A look at what’s happening around the majors Thursday:

WELCOME

Zac Gallen is set to make his major league debut when he starts for the Marlins at St. Louis. The 23-year-old righty was 9-1 with a 1.77 ERA at Triple-A New Orleans, striking out 112 in 91 1/3 innings.

Gallen might see some familiar faces at Busch Stadium. He was traded by the Cardinals to Miami in the deal for outfielder Marcell Ozuna after the 2017 season.

DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS

Alex Bregman and the Astros have lost a season-most four straight as they open a four-game series between AL division leaders at Yankee Stadium.

Houston was swept in Cincinnati this week, but former AL MVP Jose Altuve returned to the lineup after missing 35 games with a hamstring strain. He went 0 for 4 and grounded into a double play Wednesday.

Big-hitting Gary Sánchez and the Yankees have won five in a row, capped by a sweep of the second-place Rays. Slugging outfielder Aaron Judge is expected to rejoin New York on Friday after being sidelined in late April by a strained left oblique.

STREAKING STRASBURG

Stephen Strasburg is 7-0 in his last 12 starts versus the Phillies going into this matchup at Nationals Park. The Washington right-hander is 12-2 with a 2.72 ERA against them in 25 starts overall.

Aaron Nola (6-1, 4.89) pitches for Philadelphia. He’s hit a rough patch lately, going 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in three starts this month.

RUGGED

The Orioles have dropped a season-high eight in a row and have the worst record in the majors at 21-53. They’ll try to break the skid when Dylan Bundy (3-8, 4.44 ERA) pitches at Seattle — he’s made it past six innings only twice in 14 starts this year.