Houston @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 20, 2013 ) Houston 1, Cleveland 2

The fast-charging Cleveland Indians hold one of the American League’s two wild-card spots entering Saturday’s home contest against the struggling Houston Astros. Cleveland’s rain-shortened win on Friday was its seventh in nine games, and it vaulted the Indians past the skidding Texas Rangers by one-half game for the second wild card. Houston has lost seven consecutive games after dropping the first two conests of the four-game series, with both defeats coming by one run.

The Astros made three errors in Friday’s 6 1/2-inning game to fall to 51-103 – just four losses shy of last year’s franchise mark. Cleveland has a favorable remaining schedule when it comes to the playoff chase, as two games with the Chicago White Sox and four against the Minnesota Twins follow the two remaining contests against Houston. The Indians, who are six games behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central, are 28-17 in one-run affairs.

TV: 6:05 p.m. ET, CSN (Houston), STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Paul Clemens (4-5, 5.54 ERA) vs. Indians LH Scott Kazmir (8-9, 4.34)

Clemens lost to the Los Angeles Angels in his last outing despite allowing just two runs and six hits in seven innings. He also fared well against the White Sox on Aug. 27, when he gave up one run and four hits over six frames in a no-decision. Clemens has allowed 15 homers in just 61 1/3 innings.

Kazmir has lost consecutive starts and five of his last six decisions. He fell to Kansas City in his last turn, when he allowed four runs and seven hits in five-plus innings. Kazmir was tagged for six runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 frames by the Astros on April 20 but escaped with a no-decision in Cleveland’s 19-6 victory.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland 1B-OF Nick Swisher went hitless on Friday to halt a nine-game hitting streak.

2. Houston 3B Matt Dominguez (left hand) missed Friday’s game after being hit by a pitch in the series opener.

3. Indians SS Mike Aviles went 1-for-3 on Friday for his first hit since Sept. 7.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, Astros 4