Houston @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 29, 2013 ) Houston 9, NY Yankees 1

The New York Yankees had won four straight and the Houston Astros dropped four in a row entering their three-game series on Monday, so naturally the Astros pounded the Yankees 9-1. Houston will try to keep up that kind of production when it faces off against Hiroki Kuroda at New York on Tuesday. The Astros totaled 10 runs in a four-game sweep at Boston over the weekend, but turned to an unfamiliar source for offense against the Yankees.

Backup catcher Carlos Corporan recorded career highs with four hits and four RBIs, including a two-run homer in the first game of the series. The Yankees had gotten strong pitching at the beginning and end of games in sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend, but received a short start from Andy Pettitte on Monday . They will go with David Phelps in Wednesday’s game after placing Ivan Nova on the disabled list over the weekend. New York got two hits apiece from each of the top three hitters in the lineup on Monday, but the rest of the team combined to go 2-for-20.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Philip Humber (0-5, 7.99 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Hiroki Kuroda (3-1, 2.79)

Humber has been pounded in each of his last two starts. After retiring just one batter and giving up eight runs to Cleveland on April 20, the right-hander at least lasted 4 2/3 while surrendering seven runs on 10 hits at Boston on Thursday. Humber had yielded a total of six runs in 18 2/3 innings over his first three turns. He is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in two career starts against New York.

Kuroda has become the ace of the Yankees staff with CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte struggling to be consistent. The Japanese right-hander has yet to allow more than three earned runs in a start and went six innings to earn a win over Toronto on Thursday. Kuroda has never lost to the Astros, going 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA in seven starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees 3B Kevin Youkilis (back) sat for the eighth time in nine games on Monday and is day-to-day.

2. Houston rookie CF Robbie Grossman snapped an 0-for-20 drought with a single in the fifth inning on Monday.

3. New York 2B Robinson Cano is batting .397 against right-handed pitching.

PREDICTION: Yankees 8, Astros 2