Astros at Twins
The Houston Astros' calling card last season was their high-octane offense, which led the majors in runs, hits, batting average and slugging percentage among other categories. After erupting for 57 runs to win five of six meetings with Minnesota in 2017, the ascending Astros hope to keep flexing their muscles on Monday when they open a three-game series versus the host Twins.
Josh Reddick blasted his third homer in five games during Sunday's 4-1 triumph over San Diego, improving to 9-for-19 with seven RBIs in his last six outings heading into the expected cold temperatures of Minnesota. "The elements are going to be horrible," Houston manager A.J. Hinch told reporters. "It's just cold. There's no way around it. If they tell us to play, we're going to play." Unlike the weather, Brian Dozier is hot with four solo homers and eight runs scored to highlight his seven-game hitting streak, although he is batting just .185 with eight strikeouts in 27 career at-bats versus Monday starter Justin Verlander. Miguel Sano and Eduardo Escobar can tell similar tales as they are carry six- and five-game hitting streaks, respectively, into a matchup with Verlander - against whom they are batting .100 (with five strikeouts in 10 at-bats) and .167 (four strikeouts in 12 at-bats).
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Justin Verlander (1-0, 2.31 ERA) vs. Twins RH Lance Lynn (0-1, 11.25)
Verlander overcame a pair of homers in his last outing to carry an eight-game regular-season winning streak into Monday's tilt versus Minnesota, against which he owns a 17-9 mark with a 3.15 ERA. While those numbers are impressive, the 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young Award recipient is a sparkling 6-0 with a 1.38 ERA since being traded to the Astros - although he settled for a no-decision in his last trip to the mound. Verlander yielded four runs on six hits while striking out nine in 5 2/3 innings against Baltimore on Tuesday.
Sunday's inclement weather allowed Lynn an extra 24 hours to lament his first start with the Twins, as he struggled with control against Pittsburgh and allowed five runs in the first inning. The 30-year-old Ole Miss product, who matched a personal worst with six walks versus the Pirates, issued a career-high 78 in 186 1/3 innings with St. Louis last year when he went 11-8. Lynn has posted just one victory in his last 10 appearances despite five quality starts in that span.
WALK-OFFS
1. Houston 2B Jose Altuve ravaged Minnesota in 2017 to the tune of going 13-for-26 with four extra-base hits (three doubles, one homer), four RBIs and eight runs scored.
2. Twins 1B Joe Mauer has hit safely in six consecutive games and scored a run in four straight.
3. The Astros' 8-2 start to the season matches the club's franchise record, which was set in 1972.