Houston @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2018 ) Houston 5, Detroit 4

The Houston Astros have felt very comfortable on the road and look to finish off their ninth sweep away from home this season when they visit the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday afternoon for the finale of a three-game set. The Astros, who lead the American League West by three games, defeated the Tigers 5-4 on Tuesday for their second straight one-run victory in the series and improved to a major league-best 51-22 on the road.

Alex Bregman extended his on-base streak to 38 games when he was hit by a pitch Tuesday while Houston teammates Jose Altuve and Tyler White each homered to extend their hitting streaks to six and five contests, respectively. Gerrit Cole looks to continue his dominant pitching when he takes the mound Wednesday and Detroit will counter with left-hander Daniel Norris, who makes his fifth start in a season shortened by surgery. The Tigers have dropped three in a row after a four-game winning streak and fell to 20-25 in one-run games. Detroit’s top hitter this season, Nicholas Castellanos, went 0-for-4 in Tuesday’s setback to end a five-game hitting streak, but he is the eighth player in franchise history with at least 40 doubles and 20 homers in a season.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (13-5, 2.86 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Daniel Norris (0-3, 5.47)

Cole is unbeaten over in his last five starts while giving up a total of 11 earned runs with 44 strikeouts over 28 2/3 innings, but did not complete more than six frames and any of the outings. The 28-year-old UCLA product is second behind teammate Justin Verlander in the AL with a career-best 251 strikeouts across 182 2/3 innings. Castellanos is 7-for-13 with four RBIs versus Cole, who beat Detroit with 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball July 14.

Norris, a former second-round pick of Toronto, makes his third start since returning from a four-month stint on the disabled list with a groin injury. The 25-year-old Tennessee native gave up five runs on five hits (three homers) and two walks over 9 1/3 innings in his two starts after coming back Sept. 1. Brian McCann has homered against Norris, who allowed two runs (one earned) across 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision versus Houston last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Tigers recalled RHP Spencer Turnbull and LHP Matt Hall while designating RHP Johnny Barbato for assignment Tuesday.

2. Houston 1B Yuli Gurriel had a pair of hits Tuesday and is 9-for-26 during a seven-game hitting streak.

3. The Astros sent RHP Brad Peacock home Tuesday and he is out indefinitely with hand, foot and mouth disease.

PREDICTION: Astros 7, Tigers 2