Astros at Twins
Dallas Keuchel tossed his first shutout of the season in his last turn
and looks to post a second consecutive strong outing when the Houston
Astros conclude their three-game series against the host Minnesota Twins on
Wednesday. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner gave up
just three hits in a 5-0 victory over the Texas Rangers while
recording his fourth career shutout.
Keuchel has experienced a bumpy campaign and was rocked for seven runs in five innings by Detroit in his previous turn. Astros All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve went 4-for-4 in Tuesday's 7-5 victory over the Twins after being rested Monday to end his consecutive games streak to 202. Houston's victory was just its fourth in 15 games, and the club sits four games behind Boston for the AL's second wild card. Minnesota has won seven of its last 10 games behind the red-hot Brian Dozier, whose solo shot and two RBIs on Tuesday gave him six homers and 13 RBIs during the stretch.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Houston), FSN North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (7-11, 4.56 ERA) vs. Twins RH Ervin Santana (5-9, 3.62)
Keuchel has looked more like last year's 20-game winner in recent outings as he has given up two or fewer earned runs in six of his last seven starts. Still, his 1.30 WHIP is much higher than last season's superb 1.02 and opposing batters are hitting .259 against him - 42 points higher than in 2015. Keuchel is 2-2 with a 4.05 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against Minnesota, including a loss on May 2 in which he allowed five runs and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings.
Santana has excelled in four career starts against Houston, compiling a 3-0 record, 2.20 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. He has won each of his last two overall turns, allowing three earned runs and 12 hits in 12 1/3 innings. Santana is just 3-6 at home this season with a 3.76 ERA in 12 starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros SS Carlos Correa homered and matched his career best of four RBIs in Tuesday's contest.
2. Minnesota CF Eddie Rosario struck out in all four at-bats on Tuesday after going 14-for-28 during a seven-game hitting streak.
3. Houston CF Carlos Gomez was held out of the starting lineup Tuesday after making two defensive miscues in Monday's 3-1 loss but figures to be back in the lineup on Wednesday due to being 7-for-21 with one homer against Santana.