Houston @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 19, 2013 ) Houston 1, Cleveland 2

The Cleveland Indians are ascending at a time when American League wild-card co-leaders Tampa Bay and Texas are descending. The Indians notched an 11-inning victory over Houston in the series opener and look for their seventh win in nine games when they face the visiting Astros in Friday’s second contest of the four-game set. Cleveland is one-half game behind the Rays and Rangers with nine contests remaining – all against losing teams in Houston, the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota.

The Astros have lost six consecutive games and possess the worst record in the majors at 51-102. Houston made baserunning mistakes and wasted solid scoring chances in Thursday’s 2-1 loss, prompting manager Bo Porter to go on a postgame tirade. “It’s one thing to get beat, but it’s another thing to beat yourself,” Porter said. “We just squandered opportunity after opportunity with poor at-bats and bad baserunning. It’s extremely frustrating because this is basic baseball.” Journeyman Matt Carson stroked the walk-off RBI single for Cleveland on Thursday.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN (Houston), STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Brett Oberholtzer (4-3, 2.98 ERA) vs. Indians RH Zach McAllister (8-9, 3.96)

Oberholtzer has lost back-to-back decisions since tossing a four-hit shutout against Seattle on Sept. 1. He gave up four runs and six hits in six innings while falling to the Los Angeles Angels in his last turn. Oberholtzer allowed two runs and three hits in two frames of relief against Cleveland in his major-league debut on April 21.

McAllister ended a three-start winless stretch by allowing one run and six hits in 6 2/3 innings against the White Sox in his last outing. He gave up 13 runs, 17 hits and eight walks in 13 1/3 frames during the preceding slump. McAllister is 4-4 with a 4.08 ERA in 11 home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland 1B/OF Nick Swisher had his second four-hit performance of the season on Thursday. The other also came against the Astros.

2. 1B Chris Carter (3-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs) is the only Houston player who has faced McAllister.

3. Carlos Santana and Drew Stubbs hit solo homers off Oberholtzer in the April contest.

PREDICTION: Astros 7, Indians 5