Houston @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( May 29, 2013 ) Houston 6, Colorado 3

At 16-37, Houston is already in spoiler mode as the young Astros continue to gain major-league experience. Their first victim seems to be the Colorado Rockies. Houston will try for its third victory over Colorado when it visits the Rockies on Thursday in the finale of their four-game home-and-home series. Colorado, which was in a first-place tie in the National League West on Saturday, has fallen 2 1/2 games behind Arizona as it is failing to take advantage of a soft spot in its schedule.

With 14 of their next 17 games at home, the Rockies still have an opportunity to do some damage, but their bats have been quieted. Colorado, which is tied for second in the NL in runs scored, has lost four of its last five games and scored 15 runs during that span. The Rockies hand the ball to Juan Nicasio, who hasn't pitched past the sixth inning in 10 starts this season. He will oppose Lucas Harrell, who has lost his last three outings and hasn't won in five turns (0-4).

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Houston, ROOT Sports (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Lucas Harrell (3-6, 5.43 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Juan Nicasio (4-1, 4.38)

Harrell yielded six runs and six hits in 1 2/3 innings - his shortest outing of the season - in Houston's 11-5 loss to Oakland on Saturday. He pitched seven innings in his previous turn, a 1-0 loss at Pittsburgh on May 19 as he has alternated poor starts with solid ones over his last five outings. Harrell, who turns 28 on Monday, is 1-2 with a 7.20 ERA in three starts against Colorado. He was rocked for nine runs in five innings in his last appearance at Coors Field one year ago Thursday.

Nicasio has logged 51 1/3 innings in his 10 starts while averaging nearly 92 pitches per outing. He allowed two runs in five innings and received a no-decision in Colorado's 6-5 loss at San Francisco on Saturday. He threw his fastball more and recorded 58 of his 86 pitches for strikes. Nicasio has faced Houston twice - earning no-decisions in both starts that came in 2012 - and the five players on Houston's roster who have faced him are 2-for-20. Jose Altuve has both hits.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado SS Troy Tulowitzki had two homers and a double Wednesday and is hitting .365 with six doubles, six home runs and 19 RBIs in his last 19 games against Houston.

2. Rockies LF Carlos Gonzalez is 4-for-20 with seven strikeouts in his last four games.

3. Rockies C Wilin Rosario is hitting .190 with two homers and eight RBIs in May after batting .350 with seven homers and 19 RBIs in April.

PREDICTION: Rockies 9, Astros 5