Texas @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 3, 2013 ) Texas 4, Houston 0

Lance Berkman has tortured his old club since departing during the 2010 season and attempts to inflict some more damage in his latest return to Minute Maid Park as the Texas Rangers open a three-game series at the Houston Astros. Berkman was 6-for-10 against Houston when the Rangers opened the season against the Astros and is batting .460 with five homers and 18 RBIs in 14 career games against the team he played for from 1999-2010.

Texas starter Alexi Ogando dominated the Astros on April 3 in his first outing of the season. He struck out 10 and allowed four hits over 6 1/3 scoreless innings. The Rangers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday to avert their first three-game losing skid of the season. Texas has won 16 of the past 20 games with Houston. The Astros is coming off winning two of three games from the Los Angeles Angels. Houston third baseman Matt Dominquez had three RBIs in Thursday’s 6-5 loss, but also made three errors.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, KTXA (Texas), Comcast SportsNet Houston

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Alexi Ogando (3-2, 3.08 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (0-1, 4.96)

Ogando beat Boston in his last outing when he gave up one run and six hits in six innings. He had gone four straight without winning before the solid effort against the Red Sox. Ogando has allowed one run or fewer in four of his seven starts. He has a 0.96 ERA in 9 1/3 career innings against Houston.

Keuchel makes his first start of the campaign after six relief appearances. Opposing hitters have a .319 average against him. Keuchel started 16 games last season and went 3-8 with a 5.27 ERA. He allowed one run and four hits in five innings against Texas last June in his major-league debut, but wasn’t involved in the decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler is batting .327 with 10 homers in 41 career games against Houston.

2. Astros 2B Jose Altuve had three singles on Thursday for his 14th multi-hit outing of the season.

3. Berkman has hit 156 of his 362 career homers at Minute Maid Park.

PREDICTION: Rangers 9, Astros 5