Texas @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 21, 2016 ) Houston 4, Texas 7

Colby Lewis likes the sight of the Houston Astros, and he looks to continue his established pattern of success when the Texas Rangers pay a visit on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Lewis is 9-1 with a 2.58 ERA in 15 career appearances (12 starts) against the Astros and has struck out 78 while issuing only eight walks.

Lewis aims to help Texas end its three-game losing streak, and the team's shaky late-game relief has prompted manager Jeff Banister to replace closer Shawn Tolleson with Sam Dyson. "I love our club. We have a club that does something to win a game every night," Banister told reporters. "But we've got to do something to close it out. It has been a challenge to close it out." Houston took two of three from the Chicago White Sox in a series that ended Thursday, when the Astros were held to four hits in a 2-1 loss to Chris Sale. Jose Altuve is batting .422 with nine walks during his 11-game hitting streak.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Southwest (Texas), ROOT (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Colby Lewis (2-0, 3.12 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lance McCullers (0-0, 9.64)

Lewis has allowed two runs or fewer in four of his last five starts and has given up fewer than six hits in each of his last three outings. He has worked at least six innings in all eight of his turns and has tossed exactly seven in each of the last four. Lewis has struggled with Carlos Correa (4-for-9, two homers) and also has served up two homers to Luis Valbuena (4-for-15).

McCullers was roughed up in his season debut as he gave up five runs and seven hits over 4 2/3 innings in a loss to Boston on May 13. He missed the first five-plus weeks of the campaign due to a shoulder injury and expressed optimism after the 88-pitch effort against the Red Sox. McCullers went 0-2 with a 12.79 ERA in two starts versus the Rangers last season and served up homers to Shin-Soo Choo and Mitch Moreland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Choo (calf) is expected to be activated prior to Friday's game.

2. Houston C/DH Evan Gattis went 5-for-12 with two homers in the series against the White Sox.

3. Texas DH Prince Fielder has gone 26 games without a homer, last going deep on April 19 against Houston.

PREDICTION: Rangers 6, Astros 5