Minnesota @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 2, 2013 ) Minnesota 10, Houston 6

The Minnesota Twins are a .500 team since July 13 and have showed plenty of spirit in winning three of the last four contests. The Twins attempt to win their fourth road series in the last five chances when they visit the Houston Astros on Tuesday for the second of three. Minnesota looks to build off their come-from-behind 10-6 victory over the Astros on Monday, getting two homers from Chris Colabello, after they took two of three at American League West-leading Texas.

Alex Presley reached base in five of his first nine at-bats in the leadoff spot for the Twins since being acquired from Pittsburgh for Justin Morneau. The Astros have dropped six of their last seven games - scoring two or fewer in five of them - and they could be without catcher Jason Castro (right knee sprain). Jose Altuve is 7-for-9 in the first two days of September for Houston.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Pedro Hernandez (3-1, 5.54 ERA) vs. Astros RH Jarred Cosart (1-1, 1.59)

Hernandez makes his first major-league start since June 23 when he allowed two runs over five innings to beat Cleveland. The 24-year-old from Venezuela, acquired from the Chicago White Sox last year, has yielded 47 hits over 37 1/3 innings. Hernandez, who has not faced Houston among his 10 career appearances (eight starts), beat Texas with five shutout innings in April.

Cosart continues to impress without compiling victories, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) in his last seven starts over 43 innings while going 0-1. The 23-year-old yielded one run and five hits in seven innings at Minnesota on Aug. 2 without a decision. Cosart, acquired from Philadelphia in the Hunter Pence deal in 2011, has the lowest ERA in club history for the first eight starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota is 16-7 against AL West opponents, including all four against the Astros.

2. Houston C Cody Clark has thrown out five of seven baserunners attempting to steal in his first five career games.

3. Twins 2B Brian Dozier has 16 homers, most in club history at the position, and 50 extra-base hits (fifth).

PREDICTION: Astros 4, Twins 2