New York @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 1, 2014 ) NY Yankees 2, Houston 6

The Houston Astros look to make it two straight over the revamped New York Yankees to begin the season when the teams meet Wednesday in the second of three games in Houston. Behind 6 2/3 scoreless innings from Scott Feldman and a two-run homer by Jesus Guzman - both newcomers in Houston - the Astros claimed a 6-2 triumph in the season opener for both teams on Tuesday. The victory before a sellout crowd at Minute Maid Park was Houston's first in seven all-time home games against the Yankees and snapped the Astros' 15-game losing streak to end last season.

New York's hopes for a return to the postseason hinge largely on the ability of staff leader CC Sabathia to rebound from a difficult 2013, but the veteran lefty gave up all six of Houston's runs in the first two innings. The Yankees never recovered in losing their opener for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Derek Jeter had a base hit in three at-bats and enters this one with 3,317 career hits, two behind eighth-place Paul Molitor on the career list.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), CSN Houston (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Hiroki Kuroda (2013: 11-13, 3.31 ERA) vs. Astros RH Jarred Cosart (2013: 1-1, 1.95)

Kuroda was 11-7 with a 2.33 ERA after a win over the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 12 but went 0-6 with a 6.56 ERA in his final eight starts, giving up eight home runs in 46 1/3 innings in the process. The veteran was reached for six runs and 15 hits in 11 1/3 innings during the spring, but struck out 12 against just one walk. Kuroda tossed seven scoreless frames in his only start against the Astros in 2013 and is 4-0 with a 1.39 ERA in his career versus Houston.

Cosart ended his spring training in excellent fashion with five perfect innings - including nine strikeouts - against Washington on March 19. The 23-year-old held opponents to a .220 average in 10 starts as a rookie last season and set a franchise record by pitching at least five innings and allowing no more than three runs in his first eight career starts, although he did record more walks (35) than strikeouts (30) in his 60 innings. Cosart gave up 19 hits and walked 11 in just 16 frames at home last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Jeter also scored a run Tuesday and is 11 shy of matching Lou Gehrig for second on the Yankees' franchise list.

2. New York CF Jacoby Ellsbury is the only Yankee with an at-bat against Cosart, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout.

3. Kuroda has lost a career-high six straight road starts.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Astros 4