Houston @ Minnesota preview

Houston at Minnesota

Last Meeting ( Aug 3, 2013 ) Houston 4, Minnesota 6

With the worst record in baseball, the Houston Astros have plenty of faults, but their bullpen has hurt them the most lately. Houston has 17 blown saves, including three in the first two games of their three-game series at Minnesota as the Twins try to complete a sweep Sunday afternoon. The Twins rallied for their 27th comeback win Saturday while sending Houston to its 18th loss when leading after six innings.

The Twins are after their first series sweep since taking three from the Chicago White Sox from June 18-20, and they have second baseman Brian Dozier largely to thank. Dozier knocked in the tying and winning runs Friday and doubled in the tying tally and scored the go-ahead run Saturday. Houston has lost 17 of its last 21 overall and has not won a series on the road since a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels from May 31-June 3.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, CSN Houston, FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Brad Peacock (1-3, 8.07 ERA) vs. Twins RH Mike Pelfrey (4-9, 5.31)

Peacock will be called up Sunday for his third stint in the majors this season. He began the season in the rotation and made five starts and one relief appearance before being sent down, then made his way back to Houston for three relief outings in late May and early June. The 25-year-old has never faced the Twins.

Pelfrey labored through four innings his last time out, allowing four runs on eight hits in a loss to Kansas City. The 29-year-old has lost his last three decisions and has only one win in his last 13 outings despite six quality starts over that span. Pelfrey is 3-2 with a 3.31 ERA in five starts against Houston and threw eight scoreless innings in the most recent meeting in 2010.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dozier is riding a career-best 10-game hitting streak.

2. Houston rookie SS Jonathan Villar has committed errors in three straight games.

3. Twins OF Ryan Doumit has hit safely in his last 10 games against the Astros dating to 2010.

PREDICTION: Twins 7, Astros 5