Texas @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2019 ) Texas 1, Houston 4

Gerrit Cole seeks his 14th straight victory when the Houston Astros host the Texas Rangers for the finale of their two-game series on Wednesday. Cole hasn't lost since May 22 against the Chicago White Sox and is battling teammate Justin Verlander for the American League Cy Young Award.

Cole leads the major leagues with a career-best 292 strikeouts and has posted six straight double-digit efforts, fanning 76 batters in 41 2/3 innings during that stretch. Verlander picked up his 19th win while Yuli Gurriel, Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez homered as the Astros recorded a 4-1 win on Tuesday to remain tied with the New York Yankees (99-53) for the best record in baseball. Texas has dropped four straight games, scoring a total of just two runs over its last two setbacks. Nomar Mazara recorded two of the Rangers' six hits on Tuesday, including his 18th homer of the campaign.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Kolby Allard (4-0, 4.34 ERA) vs. Astros RH Gerrit Cole (17-5, 2.62)

Allard will be making his eighth start for the Rangers as he auditions for a spot in the rotation next season. The 22-year-old escaped with a no-decision against Tampa Bay in his last start after giving up four runs and seven hits over four innings. Allard has served up just one homer and registered 30 strikeouts in 37 1/3 frames this year.

Cole is two victories away from matching the career-high total he set in 2015 with Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old defeated Kansas City in his last outing as he allowed an unearned run and four hits while recording 11 strikeouts over eight innings. Cole is 1-2 with a 6.45 ERA in four starts against Texas this season and 4-2 with a 3.98 ERA in nine career outings versus the club.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros SS Carlos Correa (back) went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on Tuesday in his first contest since Aug. 19.

2. Texas OF Joey Gallo (wrist) is expected to return to the majors this weekend after last appearing in a major-league game on July 23.

3. Houston RHP Ryan Pressly (knee) faced live hitters on Tuesday and is slated to be activated later this week.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Rangers 2