Astros at Twins
The Houston Astros' dynamic lineup has struggled to provide offense since their explosive start, but their ability to keep the other team from scoring has proven to be enough more often than not. Buoyed by the stingiest pitching staff in the majors, the Astros set their sights on a fourth straight victory Tuesday, when they continue their three-game series against the host Minnesota Twins.
After averaging 6.3 runs while winning five of its first six contests, Houston has crossed the plate only 11 times in the five games since, but the defending World Series champion has managed to pull out a victory four times over that stretch. Justin Verlander tossed seven strong innings Monday as the Astros posted their second shutout in three outings with a series-opening 2-0 triumph - the seventh time Houston has surrendered fewer than three runs. The Twins have been about as cold at the plate as the weather in Target Field has been during the three games they have played at home, batting .228 while playing every contest in sub-40 degree temperatures. Joe Mauer has been one of the few hitters unaffected by the chilly conditions, as he is 4-for-9 with a pair of doubles and three walks so far in Minnesota.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (0-1, 3.27 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (0-0, 2.61)
Keuchel struggled with his command (61-of-104 pitches for strikes) over five innings and was let down by his defense (two errors) in a no-decision Wednesday versus Baltimore, allowing two runs - one earned - on five hits and four walks. The 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner is off to a much different start this season than in 2017, during which he opened 9-0 with a 1.94 ERA in 12 turns. Brian Dozier (5-for-11) and Logan Morrison (4-for-11) have homered against Keuchel, who hasn't pitched in Minnesota since 2014.
Odorizzi also had trouble finding the strike zone Wednesday at Pittsburgh, throwing only 48 of his 87 pitches for strikes while not factoring in the decision after giving up three runs on five hits and three walks in 4 1/3 frames. The former Tampa Bay Ray was much sharper in his season debut on Opening Day, working six scoreless innings in Baltimore. Odorizzi has struggled against Brian McCann (13-for-28, three homers) but otherwise has dominated the Astros, going 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA in three starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Astros have won 11 of the last 14 meetings.
2. Of Minnesota's 66 hits this season, 32 have gone for extra bases.
3. Houston is hitting .194 and has struck out 53 times during its five-game offensive slump.