Houston @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 30, 2013 ) Houston 4, NY Yankees 7

The New York Yankees got back into the series with a win on Tuesday and will be trying to take the rubber game behind David Phelps when they host the Houston Astros again on Wednesday. The Yankees were embarrassed 9-1 in Monday’s opener by the lowly Astros but got things turned around behind Hiroki Kuroda on Tuesday to pick up their fifth win in the last six games. Houston has dropped five of six.

The Astros figured to have a tough time in their first season in the American League with a total team payroll of less than what Alex Rodriguez is making while sitting on New York’s disabled list. But Houston has been competitive at times and did attempt a comeback on Tuesday with four runs over the final two innings before Mariano Rivera came on to shut the door. Two of the players that the Astros plan to build around, Jose Altuve and Jason Castro, each had a pair of hits on Tuesday, and Altuve is batting .330. The Yankees’ pitching staff has allowed four runs or less in seven of the last eight games and Rivera has shown no signs of slowing down. The 43-year-old has not blown a save and has allowed two runs in 10 1/3 total innings.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Houston, YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Erik Bedard (0-2, 7.98 ERA) vs. Yankees RH David Phelps (1-1, 5.29)

Bedard has yet to record an out in the fifth inning in any of his four starts. The veteran left-hander was reached for three home runs among eight hits and was charged with five runs over three innings to absorb a loss at Boston on Friday. Bedard has made 13 career appearances (12 starts) against New York and has posted a 4-5 record with a 4.32 ERA. He has not faced the Yankees since 2008.

Phelps is moving into the rotation spot vacated by Ivan Nova, who was placed on the disabled list over the weekend. Phelps went four innings in his last relief outing on Friday and allowed one run on two hits to pick up a win. The 26-year-old right-hander has never faced the Astros but has done his best work this season at Yankee Stadium, where he has posted a 3.97 ERA in four appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Yankees placed 3B Kevin Youkilis (back) on the 15-day DL and recalled INF Corban Joseph.

2. Houston OF Rick Ankiel has struck out 32 times in 53 at-bats.

3. New York DH Travis Hafner drove in three runs on Tuesday and has 17 RBIs in 22 games.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Astros 4