Houston @ Minnesota preview

Houston at Minnesota

Last Meeting ( Jun 21, 2009 ) Houston 4, Minnesota 1

The Minnesota Twins have dropped four in a row and six of eight, but they'll receive little sympathy from the major league-worst Houston Astros. The struggling American League clubs look to alter their fortunes on Friday in the opener of a three-game set in Minnesota. The Twins, who finished July with a disappointing 9-17 mark, were outscored 18-7 en route to getting swept by the red-hot Kansas City Royals.

Houston was done in by a familiar face on Thursday, as former Astro Bud Norris struck out a season-best eight batters in Baltimore's 6-3 triumph. Brett Wallace and Marc Krauss belted solo homers for Houston, which suffered its 10th loss in 13 outings. The Astros, who are wrapping up a 10-game road trip by making their first visit to Target Field, haven't faced the Twins since 2009.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, CSN (Houston), FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Jarred Cosart (1-0, 0.86 ERA) vs. Twins RH Samuel Deduno (7-4, 3.18)

Cosart recorded his third straight quality start in his last outing, but his penchant for giving up walks is cause for concern. The 23-year-old permitted five walks in six innings and settled for a no-decision in Houston's 2-1 loss to Toronto on Sunday. Cosart, who has allowed 11 walks in 21 innings, has only yielded two earned runs in three starts.

Deduno posted his third straight victory after scattering three hits over seven innings and matching a season high with six strikeouts in a 4-0 victory over Seattle on Saturday. The 30-year-old Dominican has kept the ball in the yard in his last three outings and issued only four homers in 76 1/3 innings. Deduno is 3-1 at home while limiting the opposition to a .212 batting average.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston 2B Jose Altuve (left quadriceps) and CF Brandon Barnes (lower back) were reduced to spectators on Thursday due to nagging injuries. They are expected to be in the lineup on Friday.

2. Minnesota 2B Brian Dozier returned from a bone bruise to extend his hitting streak to eight games.

3. The Twins recalled OF Oswaldo Arcia from Triple-A Rochester following Thursday's 7-2 loss to Kansas City. Arcia batted .375 during his 13-game stint with the Red Wings.

PREDICTION: Twins 3, Astros 2