Houston @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 5, 2013 ) Houston 5, Texas 10

Yu Darvish attempts to defeat Houston for the third time this season when the Texas Rangers host the Astros on Saturday in the second contest of a three-game series. Darvish didn’t allow a hit until two outs in the ninth in his first start of the season against Houston on April 2 and also beat the Astros on May 11. He has allowed four hits and fanned 22 in 15 2/3 innings over the two outings.

The Rangers posted a 10-5 victory in the opener as Nelson Cruz belted a grand slam and Adrian Beltre and David Murphy added two-run homers. Beltre has three homers in the last two games after experiencing a 22-game homerless drought. Houston, which has the worst record in the majors, has lost nine of its last 11 games and has been outscored 82-34 during the stretch.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (4-5, 4.65 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Yu Darvish (8-3, 2.78)

Keuchel lost to the Tampa Bay Rays in his last start when he gave up five runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. He has a 2.45 ERA in two starts against Texas, including a no-decision on May 10 when he allowed two runs and five hits in six innings. Keuchel is 1-2 with a 3.03 ERA on the road this season, covering six appearances (four starts).

Darvish struck out 14 – a total he has since matched twice – in his near no-hitter against the Astros. He also beat Houston last season and is 3-0 with a 1.90 ERA over his three career outings against the Astros. Darvish threw 6 2/3 innings of four-hit shutout ball to beat the Cincinnati Reds in his last start to snap a seven-start winless stretch.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas is 6-1 against the Astros this season, winning the last six after losing the season opener in Houston’s American League debut.

2. Astros 3B Matt Dominguez homered twice against Darvish in the May matchup.

3. Cruz has three homers and 10 RBIs against Houston this season.

PREDICTION: Rangers 8, Astros 3