New York @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 2, 2014 ) NY Yankees 1, Houston 3

The Houston Astros aim for a surprising series sweep when they host the New York Yankees in the finale of a three-game set Thursday. After dropping their final 15 games in a 51-111 season in 2013, the retooled Astros have leaned on solid pitching and home run power to take the first two games of the series. Houston starters have combined for 11 2/3 scoreless innings and four different hitters have gone deep, including Dexter Fowler and Matt Dominguez in Wednesday's 3-1 victory.

The Yankees, meanwhile, have two extra-base hits - both doubles - in a pair of a lackluster performances. Costly free-agent acquisitions Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann are a combined 5-for-23 and designated hitter Alfonso Soriano is 0-for-8 with four strikeouts. New York is off to an 0-2 start for the third straight year, the first time that has happened for the franchise since 1964-66.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Ivan Nova (2013: 9-6, 3.10 ERA) vs. Astros LH Brett Oberholtzer (2013: 4-5, 2.76)

Nova is aiming to get off to a better start than he did in 2013, when he had a 6.48 ERA through four outings before going on the disabled list. He posted a 2.70 mark in 17 games (16 starts) upon returning, including his first two career shutouts down the stretch. Nova, who has never faced Houston, had a 3.66 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings during spring training.

Oberholtzer was one of the bright spots in Houston's 2013 campaign, posting a 2.24 ERA in 10 starts, the second-lowest mark in the American League over the final two months of the season. The 24-year-old issued only 13 walks in 71 2/3 innings while limiting opponents to a .237 average. Oberholtzer, who gave up 11 earned runs in nine innings this spring, ended his first year in the majors by allowing two earned runs in 5 1/3 frames versus New York.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees SS Derek Jeter remains two hits shy of tying Paul Molitor (3,319) for eighth place on the all-time list.

2. Astros RH Matt Albers has four strikeouts in 2 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

3. Soriano has a double and a walk in three plate appearances against Oberholtzer.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Astros 4