Houston @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 3, 2018 ) Houston 5, Texas 3

The Houston Astros continue to dominate their in-state neighbors and look for more success when they host the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. Houston halted its three-game overall skid by posting a 5-3 victory in the opener of the two-game series and is a stellar 11-4 against the Rangers this season.

Josh Reddick and Tony Kemp each homered in Tuesday's victory as the Astros went deep in their 23rd consecutive road game, which is four shy of the major-league record set by Oakland earlier this season. Catcher Max Stassi might be unavailable Wednesday after leaving in the first inning with a bruised right hand, although the Astros announced that X-rays were negative. Houston has won seven straight games at Globe Life Park and 12 of its last 13. Shin-Soo Choo went 2-for-3 with two walks for Texas to reach base in his 43rd consecutive contest, three shy of the single-season franchise mark held by Julio Franco (1993).

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (9-2, 2.50 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Mike Minor (6-4, 4.64)

Cole is drawing the start after Houston shuffled its rotation and moved Lance McCullers Jr. back in order to give him more rest. The 27-year-old Cole had his streak of seven straight victorious decisions halted in his last turn, when he gave up three runs - one earned - and five hits over six innings in a loss to Tampa Bay. Cole has allowed just eight hits while going 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 20 innings in three starts against the Rangers this season and is 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA in four career outings.

Minor has been superb while winning his last two starts as he allowed one run and four hits over 13 innings in the triumphs. The 30-year-old was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in four starts last month, limiting opposing batters to a .170 batting average. Minor is 0-1 with a 5.74 ERA in three starts against Houston this season and 1-2 with a 5.06 ERA in nine career appearances (six starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros C Brian McCann (knee), who will undergo surgery and miss four to six weeks, was placed on the 10-day disabled list, RHP Joe Smith (elbow) was activated from the DL, 1B AJ Reed was optioned to Triple-A Fresno and C Tim Federowicz was recalled from the same affiliate.

2. Texas activated 1B Ronald Guzman from the concussion list and optioned RHP Chris Martin to Triple-A Round Rock.

3. Houston's rotation shuffling leaves ace RHP Justin Verlander slated to start on July 15, making him ineligible to pitch in the All-Star Game two days later.

PREDICTION: Astros 9, Rangers 3