Houston @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( May 17, 2016 ) Houston 6, Chi. White Sox 5

The Chicago White Sox no longer possess the best record in the American League and suddenly are sliding in the wrong direction with five losses in their last six games. The White Sox aim to halt a three-game skid on Wednesday, when they host the Houston Astros in the middle contest of their three-game series.

Chicago has allowed six or more runs four times during the rough stretch, including Tuesday's opener in which Houston prevailed 6-5 in 11 innings. The White Sox expect to have Todd Frazier (illness) back in the lineup after he missed his first start of the season in the opener. Astros third baseman Colin Moran and outfielder Tony Kemp will make their first major-league starts on Wednesday - Kemp made his debut on Tuesday by pinch-running and scoring. Moran was the sixth overall pick in 2013 by Miami and traded to Houston a year later in a deal that involved pitcher Jarred Cosart, while the versatile 5-foot-6 Kemp was selected in the fifth round in 2013 by the Astros.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Houston), CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Doug Fister (3-3, 4.22 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Mat Latos (5-0, 3.40)

Fister received a no-decision against Cleveland in his last turn after winning his previous two decisions. He has allowed six runs over 20 innings in the three starts and has walked just three batters during the stretch after issuing a career-high seven in a loss to Seattle on April 25. Fister is 2-4 with a 3.72 ERA in nine career starts against the White Sox and has struggled with Melky Cabrera (5-for-14) while shutting down Austin Jackson (2-for-14).

Latos has started to wilt, allowing 13 earned runs over his last three starts after giving up just two in his first four turns. He gave up five runs, seven hits and a season-high five walks in a no-decision against Texas in his last turn. Latos is 4-1 with a 3.86 ERA in seven career starts against the Astros and has experienced difficulties with Colby Rasmus (6-for-11) and Jose Altuve (4-for-8).

WALK-OFFS

1. Slumping Astros CF Carlos Gomez (ribs), who is batting just .182 with no homers and 46 strikeouts in 132 at-bats, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday.

2. Jackson is 2-for-13 with eight strikeouts over his last four games.

3. Houston DH Evan Gattis, recalled from Double-A Corpus Christi prior to Tuesday's contest, hit the decisive two-run homer in the 11th while rookie 1B Tyler White went deep twice for the first time in his career.

PREDICTION: White Sox 8, Astros 5