Toronto @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 24, 2013 ) Toronto 5, Houston 8

One of the prime building blocks for the Houston Astros, All-Star catcher Jason Castro is on the verge of becoming the most prolific power hitter at his position in club history. The 26-year-old Castro belted two homers in Saturday’s 8-5 win over Toronto to raise his season total to 17, matching John Bateman’s club record from 1966. The Blue Jays have matched a season high with seven straight losses entering Sunday’s series finale.

Toronto has been outscored 42-21 during its skid, including 20-9 in back-to-back losses to the Astros. The Blue Jays have been underachievers in 2013 but recent injuries to the entire starting outfield - Jose Bautista (hip), Melky Cabrera (knee) and Colby Rasmus (oblique) - have help sink the club to a season-worst 16 games below .500. Houston has received a nice boost from outfielder L.J. Hoes, who is 17-for-39 with nine runs scored in his last 10 games and hitting .321 in 21 contests since being acquired in the deal that sent starting pitcher Bud Norris to Baltimore.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), CSN (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Mark Buehrle (9-7, 4.23 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (5-7, 5.11)

Buehrle has won four straight decisions over his past six outings, a stretch that began with a two-hit shutout against the Astros on July 25. He received a no-decision in his last turn when he gave up two runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings against the New York Yankees. Buehrle is 2-0 lifetime against the Astros, also winning in 2007 as a member of the Chicago White Sox.

Keuchel defeated Toronto on July 27 despite allowing six runs and 10 hits. He has given up 18 homers, including three in the victory over the Blue Jays. Keuchel wasn’t involved in the decision in his last outing when he gave up four runs and eight hits in four innings against the Los Angeles Angels.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto INF Edwin Encarnacion, who has gone deep in both games of the series, is 11-for-17 with four homers and 10 RBIs in six games against Houston this season.

2. Astros OF Brandon Barnes is 4-for-8 with three RBIs in the series.

3. Blue Jays OF Kevin Pillar hit his first major-league homer Saturday but is batting just .133 through 10 games.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 4, Astros 3