Houston @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 1, 2012 ) Houston 3, Chi. Cubs 0

The Houston Astros are heading to the American League next year and they are trying to avoid departing the National League with a dubious entry into the record books. With two games left in the season against the host Chicago Cubs, the Astros are one defeat away from breaking the franchise mark of 106 losses. Houston, which lost 106 games last season, has won four of its last five and registered its third shutout victory in five games in Monday's series opener.

Fernando Martinez has homered in three straight games and carries a five-game hitting streak into Tuesday's matchup. The Cubs joined the Astros in the 100-loss club Monday, the first time they have reached the century mark since 1966. Chicago managed only two hits and didn't record one after a leadoff double in the fourth inning by Anthony Rizzo to fall for the eighth time in ninth games and 12th in the last 14.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS Houston, CS Chicago Plus

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Bud Norris (6-13, 4.82 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Chris Volstad (3-11, 6.64)

Norris earned his first win in more than four months last time out, blanking the St. Louis Cardinals on two hits over 7 1/3 innings to snap a 12-game losing streak. His previous victory had come against Chicago on May 21, when he tossed seven innings of shutout ball, but also lost twice to the Cubs during his drought to fall to 3-4 with a 3.59 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts) against them.

Volstad is no stranger to long victory droughts, losing his first nine decisions this year before breaking through with his first win against Colorado on Aug. 26. After winning three times in a span of four starts, including a 4-1 win at Houston on Sept. 10, he has been roughed up in two of his last three outings. He lasted only three innings last time out, getting shelled for seven runs on 10 hits in three innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tuesday's game will mark the first time since Sept. 30, 1962, that two teams with 100 losses apiece will meet.

2. The Astros have scored only 21 runs in Norris' last nine starts.

3. Cubs OF David DeJesus is 13-for-40 with two homers, a triple and two doubles in his last nine games.