Texas @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 4, 2018 ) Houston 5, Texas 4

The Houston Astros aim to maintain their dominance of the Texas Rangers on Friday, when the Lone Star State rivals meet at Minute Maid Park for the opener of their three-game series. The Astros, who already have claimed the Silver Boot from the Rangers, have won eight in a row and 16 of their last 20 encounters with Texas.

Jose Altuve exited Wednesday's 3-2 loss to Colorado with right knee discomfort, although the reigning American League Most Valuable Player and six-time All-Star said that "it's not a big deal." The diminutive Altuve has come up big against Texas, going 21-for-64 with 12 runs scored this season and 11-for-38 lifetime versus Friday starter Yovani Gallardo. While the AL West-leading Astros have split their last 12 contests, the cellar-dwelling Rangers have dropped six of seven since the All-Star break and 11 of 13 overall. Texas' tumble in the standings likely led to former World Series MVP Cole Hamels reportedly being traded to the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, pending an exchange of medical information.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Southwest (Texas), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (4-1, 7.18 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (8-8, 3.53)

Gallardo authored his best performance with the Rangers on Sunday, scattering a season-low three hits and overcoming four walks over six innings in a 5-0 win versus Cleveland. "I just worked quickly, kept a tight strike zone and get guys to swing the bat," the 32-year-old told reporters. Gallardo has been taken to task by Josh Reddick (8-for-16), although Marwin Gonzalez (4-for-22) and Alex Bregman (0-for-9, four strikeouts) have struggled mightily versus the Mexican.

Keuchel has evened his record after winning four straight starts while posting a 5-0 mark with a 2.00 ERA in his last seven outings. The 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner hasn't permitted an earned run in his last two trips to the mound, including a victory in which he permitted just one unearned run and two hits over 7 2/3 innings on the road against the Los Angeles Angels last Friday. Keuchel owns a 2-1 record in four starts versus Texas this season, as he overcame a setback in March to sandwich two stellar outings around a disastrous one on June 10, when he yielded six runs and 13 hits over 4 1/3 frames in a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas DH Adrian Beltre drove in a run with a single in Thursday's 7-6 setback to Oakland, giving him six RBIs in his last six games.

2. Houston acquired Gold Glove C Martín Maldonado from the Angels for LHP Patrick Sandoval and international bonus pool money.

3. Rangers 2B Rougned Odor has scored seven runs in his last eight games, although he is just 7-for-42 versus the Astros this season.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Rangers 2