Houston @ Chicago preview

Houston at Chi. Cubs

Last Meeting ( Mar 30, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 3, Houston 6

Longtime division rivals will meet as interleague foes on Friday when the Chicago Cubs open a three-game series against the visiting Houston Astros. Houston went 5-2 over the past week for its first winning homestand of the season and will be back home for nine more after the brief stop at Wrigley Field. The Cubs return home after a 3-4 road trip having lost four of their last five.

Although the circumstances and frequency of their meetings have changed, both teams still find themselves trying to stay out of their respective division cellars. The Astros have the worst record in the American League, but they've won six of their last eight after former Cubs slugger Carlos Pena's three-run homer in the 10th inning lifted them to a 7-4 win over Milwaukee on Thursday. The Cubs are tied with Milwaukee for last in the National League Central, 17 games back of St. Louis.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (4-3, 4.23 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Matt Garza (1-1, 4.98)

Keuchel has recorded four straight quality starts and collected three wins during that stretch. He beat the Chicago White Sox last time out, allowing two runs on four hits over 6 1/3 innings, and has gone at least six innings in seven of his eight starts since joining the rotation May 10. Keuchel faced the Cubs once last season, allowing one run on six hits but lasting only four innings.

Garza threw seven innings of three-hit ball last time out against the New York Mets, but he didn't get the win because closer Carlos Marmol failed to hold a 3-0 lead in the ninth. It was his best outing of the season and a much-needed rebound after allowing a career-worst nine runs against Cincinnati in his previous start. Garza is 1-3 with a 4.46 ERA in six career starts against the Astros.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs are 17-for-98 with runners in scoring position over the past 14 games, going 5-9 during that stretch.

2. Houston's Jason Castro is 10-for-27 during a seven-game hitting streak. Castro is 1-for-3 with a homer against Garza.

3. Chicago is 3-35 when allowing four or more runs.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Astros 4