Houston @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( May 28, 2013 ) Colorado 2, Houston 1

The Colorado Rockies and Houston Astros split a pair at Minute Maid Park, with each team earning a one-run victory. The Rockies will try to gain the upper hand in the interleague set when the series shifts to Colorado for another two games beginning on Wednesday. Michael Cuddyer shook off a wrist injury to drive in the go-ahead run in the ninth on Tuesday as the Rockies attempt to keep pace in the National League West.

The Astros are enjoying their first season on the American League side of interleague play, though Tuesday’s setback dropped them down to 2-3 against the National League. They dropped two of three at Pittsburgh from May 17-19. Houston was able to limit the Rockies to a total of four runs in two games at their own park and scraped out a 3-2 victory in 12 innings on Monday when Brandon Barnes delivered a walk-off, ground-rule double. Cuddyer’s hit on Tuesday helped end a three-game losing streak for Colorado, which will play 15 of its next 18 games at home.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Erik Bedard (0-2, 5.68 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Tyler Chatwood (3-0, 1.90)

Bedard has not been able to get deep enough into a game or receive enough support from his offense to earn a win. The veteran left-hander has allowed two earned runs in each of his last three starts but has not gotten past the sixth inning in any of those outings. Bedard has a 1-1 record with a 2.31 ERA in two career starts against Colorado, with that victory coming in 6 2/3 solid innings at Coors Field.

Chatwood is not a great candidate to pitch a complete game either, but has been dominant while in the game of late. The 23-year-old has allowed a total of one run in 17 2/3 innings over his last three starts to pick up three straight wins. Two of those starts came on the road, and Chatwood has yielded all six of his runs (five earned) and issued seven of his eight total walks in the two turns at Coors Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Astros have not won a series on the road since taking two of three at Seattle from April 8-10.

2. Colorado SS Troy Tulowitzki drove in his 40th run on Tuesday. He totaled 27 RBIs in an injury-plagued 2012.

3. The reigning AL Player of the Week, Houston C Jason Castro, got Tuesday off but should be back in the lineup to catch Bedard. He hit .579 with three homers last week.

PREDICTION: Rockies 6, Astros 3