Colorado @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( May 31, 2012 ) Houston 5, Colorado 11

The lowly Houston Astros could be the perfect tonic for the Colorado Rockies, who are coming off a pair of demoralizing losses in San Francisco. The teams begin a two-game series in Houston on Monday before meeting at Coors Field on Wednesday and Thursday. Colorado dropped out of a three-way tie atop the National League West on Sunday, while the Astros have lost five of their last seven contests to fall 22 games under .500.

The Rockies received a scare on Sunday, when Michael Cuddyer left the game with a right forearm injury after being hit by a pitch. However, X-rays were negative and he’s listed as day-to-day. Cuddyer went 4-for-11 with six RBIs in three games against the Giants, but that pales in comparison to weekend performance by Houston's Jason Castro, who has recorded 10 hits in his last 12 at-bats - including two home runs.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Colorado), CSN (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jhoulys Chacin (3-3, 4.10 ERA) vs. Astros RH Bud Norris (4-4, 3.86)

Chacin pitched six scoreless innings before blowing a four-run lead in the seventh last Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has allowed 12 runs (11 earned) in 11 2/3 frames over his last two starts. The 25-year-old Chacin is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in three road starts this season and 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in two career outings against the Astros.

Norris exited each of his last two starts with lower-back spasms, but he’s expected to be ready to face the Rockies. The 28-year-old right-hander threw six scoreless innings last Tuesday against the Royals before feeling tightness in his back while warming up prior to the seventh. Norris, who owns a 1.93 ERA in six home starts this season, has allowed 15 earned runs in 13 2/3 career frames against the Rockies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado is 22-3 when scoring five or more runs.

2. The Astros are 1-28 when trailing after six innings.

3. Rockies RHP Wilton Lopez has not allowed a run in 16 of his last 17 appearances.

PREDICTION: Rockies 6, Astros 4