Tampa Bay @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 1, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 12, Houston 0

The Tampa Bay Rays could make a big run if they can send the 2012 version of David Price to the mound for the rest of the season. Price, who struggled to a 1-4 start, returns from the disabled list Tuesday as the Rays visit the Houston Astros for the second of a four-game series. Last year’s American League Cy Young Award winner, Price has been sidelined since May 15 with a strained left triceps and looks to help the Rays extend their win streak to four.

Evan Longoria was out for the third straight game with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, but the Rays collected 17 hits in a 12-0 victory in Monday’s series opener. Houston has dropped six of its last seven games while surrendering 56 runs. Former Rays slugger Carlos Pena, who has missed the last two games due to a death in the family, is expected to be back for the Astros.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), Comcast SportsNet (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH David Price (1-4, 5.24 ERA) vs. Astros LH Erik Bedard (3-3, 4.44)

Price gets a new start after laboring through most of his first nine outings of the season, giving up 65 hits over 55 innings. The left-hander has yielded eight homers overall and allowed 28 runs (21 earned) in his last six appearances. Chris Carter has a double and two walks in three career at-bats against Price, who surrendered five runs in as many innings in his only meeting with Houston in 2010.

Bedard has turned his season around, allowing two runs or fewer in seven of his last nine starts. The left-hander gave up three runs over six innings in his last outing against St. Louis and has lowered his ERA from 8.20 to 4.44 in his last 10 appearances. Bedard is 11-5 lifetime vs. Tampa Bay with a 3.32 ERA and Ben Zobrist is 5-for-16 against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay’s Yunel Escobar has gone 39 games without an error, tied for the third longest streak in club history for a shortstop.

2. Jason Castro did not homer Monday, but his 11 blasts are the most by a Houston catcher through June 30.

3. The Rays have won the last six meetings with the Astros after dropping six of the first seven in the all-time series.

PREDICTION: Astros 4, Rays 3