A pair of former McNeese State baseball players on the Divisional Series rosters.

Utilityman Jace Peterson of Lake Charles will play for Arizona Diamondbacks, while pitcher Grant Anderson is with the Texas Rangers.

“There’s nothing quite like postseason baseball and it’s even more exciting when you know some of the guys involved,” said Cowboys head coach Justin Hill said. “I’m happy for Jace and Grant and look forward to watching them compete in the Division Series.”

Peterson, who was drafted in 2011 by the San Diego Padres, joined the Diamondbacks on Tuesday ahead of the wild card series when Arizona swept the Milwaukee Brewers in a best-of-three series to advance. Next up are the Los Angeles Dodgers for a best-of-five matchup.

Peterson played 93 games for the Oakland Athletics before getting traded to the Diamondbacks, collecting 17 hits in 93 at-bats and five runs. Five of his hits came in the form of extra bases with three doubles and two triples. Peterson has 79 hits.

He was a part of the Brewers’ postseason runs in 2020 and ’21, playing three games.

Anderson was activated by the Rangers on Tuesday ahead of the wild card series against the Rays in which the Rangers swept 2-0. He’ll be with the team as they face the Baltimore Orioles in a best-of-five series.

In his first appearance as a rookie in May, Anderson struck out seven of nine batters, earning eight outs, out of the bullpen.

He has made 26 appearances while earning a 2-1 record over 352/3 innings pitched. Anderson struck out 30 batters and limited opposing hitters to a .277 average.

Astros vs. Twins

HOUSTON — Astros manager Dusty Baker admitted this week that Carlos Correa is one of his favorite players.

That goodwill toward the former Astros star turned Minnesota mainstay won’t extend into this weekend, when Houston hosts the Twins in the AL Division Series.

“Personally, I don’t care if it’s my brother or my mama or dad or anybody on the other side,” Baker said. “If they’re on the other side when the game time starts, well, they are the opposition.”

Correa was drafted first overall by Houston in 2012 and spent seven seasons with the Astros before signing with the Twins prior to the 2022 season. He remains close with many Astros players and coaches but agreed with Baker that he’ll push that aside when the best-of-five series starts today.

“We’ll be friends again after this series,” Correa said Friday. “Right now, we’re both … focused on winning this series. It’s an important one.”

The shortstop has put his past with Houston behind him and is focused on his future with the Twins. But he admitted it’s nice to be back in the city this week and see some of the fans who loved him so much when he was a perennial postseason star for the Astros.

“I went to eat last night, and all the Astros fans are wishing me good luck,” Correa said. “I’m like: ‘Are you sure you want to wish me good luck?’”

The Twins swept the Blue Jays 2-0 in the first round to win a playoff series for the first time in 21 years and get the chance to face the defending champion Astros, who are in their seventh-consecutive Division Series.

Houston’s Justin Verlander opposes Minnesota’s Bailey Ober in the opener and Astros’ left-hander Framber Valdez faces Pablo López in Game 2 on Sunday night.

Buxton Returns?

Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli wouldn’t say whether there was a chance Byron Buxton would be on this round’s roster after Buxton was left off against Toronto. Buxton, the second overall pick in the 2012 amateur draft, hasn’t played since straining his right hamstring Aug. 1. He’s also dealt with knee issues that have kept him from playing in the field.

Back Like He Never Left

Verlander returned to the Astros in a trade with the Mets this summer.

It’s the second time Verlander will start in the postseason for the Astros after beginning the season with another team. In 2017, he played for the Tigers, was traded on Aug. 31 and helped the Astros to their first World Series title.

He said that situation felt completely different.

“It feels like I’ve been here. … It was obviously a weird season, just going to New York for a few months and then coming right back,” he said. “Best analogy that I’ve heard is I did a summer abroad. It’s kind of funny. That’s how I felt.”

Verlander, 40, will be making his 35th postseason start. He was 13-8 with a 3.22 ERA in 27 starts this season. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was 7-3 with a 3.31 ERA in 11 starts for Houston after the trade.

Big-Game Lewis

Minnesota rookie Royce Lewis was the star of the Wild Card Series, hitting two home runs in Game 1 to propel the Twins to the 3-1 win.

Lewis, chosen first overall in the 2017 amateur draft, has been plagued by injuries in his professional career and tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in both 2021 and ’22.

Lewis said he has good memories of Minute Maid Park. He homered with four RBIs in his season debut here in May a year to the day after his second season-ending knee injury.

Closed

The roof at Minute Maid Park will be closed today and for Sunday’s games despite cooler temperatures expected in Houston. After a brutally hot summer, the forecast calls for temperatures in the high 70s this weekend.

The Astros played one game with the roof open this year, and Baker said he prefers for it to be closed.

“Because that’s what we’re used to,” he said. “With the wind conditions and directions and how the ball carries, so probably (what) more we’re familiar with.”