Minnesota @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2018 ) Minnesota 2, Houston 5

The Houston Astros look to record their fifth straight win and 12th in their last 15 contests when they conclude their three-game series Wednesday against the visiting Minnesota Twins. Yuli Gurriel hit a two-run homer while Alex Bregman recorded three doubles and two RBIs as Houston posted a 5-2 victory on Tuesday.

The red-hot Bregman has reached base in 32 consecutive games and has gone 27-for-62 with five homers and 16 RBIs over his last 16 contests. Bregman is 7-for-15 with three blasts during the four-game winning streak for the Astros, who own a 3 1/2-game lead over Oakland in the American League West. Minnesota's season continues to unravel as the club has dropped four straight games and nine of its last 11. The Twins might have averted bad news when Miguel Sano injured his surgically repaired left leg on a slide during Tuesday's contest as X-rays ruled out a break and determined he had a bruise.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (5-9, 4.41 ERA) vs. Astros LH Framber Valdez (2-1, 1.26)

Odorizzi has lost his last two starts and recorded just one victory in his last nine outings. The 28-year-old has gone five straight starts without serving up a homer and has surrendered just four blasts over his last 16 turns after being reached for 14 in his first 12 starts. Odorizzi defeated the Astros on April 10, when he allowed one run and five hits over six innings, and is 3-0 with a 0.72 ERA in four career starts versus the club.

Valdez is making his fourth major-league appearance and third start. He has allowed one run on two hits and three walks with three strikeouts over five innings in each of his two turns, splitting a pair of decisions against the Los Angeles Angels. Valdez has allowed just six hits in 14 1/3 frames while limiting opponents to a .125 batting average.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros RHP Charlie Morton (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and could be activated from the 10-day disabled list on Saturday.

2. Minnesota LF Eddie Rosario (quadriceps) has missed five straight games but is expected to resume taking batting practice on Wednesday or Thursday.

3. Houston recalled INF J.D. Davis and RHP Dean Deetz from Triple-A Fresno.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Twins 4