Twins at Astros
The Minnesota Twins look to extend their season-high winning streak to five games when they visit the Houston Astros on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. The Twins have scored 35 runs during their four-game surge, with the latest productive outing being Monday's 9-5 victory in the series opener.
Jorge Polanco went 4-for-5 with a homer and a season-best four RBIs in Monday's triumph to raise his batting average to .392. Jason Castro also went deep and C.J. Cron stroked a two-run double as Minnesota racked up 12 hits during the victory. Houston has allowed 29 runs during its three-game losing streak and has dropped four of its last five contests. Carlos Correa hit a three-run homer and Michael Brantley added a solo slot in Monday's setback.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Michael Pineda (2-1, 5.30 ERA) vs. Astros LH Wade Miley (1-2, 3.32)
Pineda was torched for six runs and seven hits - including two homers - in 3 2/3 innings while losing to Toronto in his last turn. The 30-year-old has registered 16 strikeouts and issued just three walks in 18 2/3 frames over four starts. Pineda is 3-3 with a 4.40 ERA in seven career turns against the Astros and has been roughed up by Correa (7-for-13, three homers), George Springer (6-for-17, two) and Jose Altuve (6-for-16).
Miley lost to Oakland in his last turn, when he gave up two runs and four hits over six innings. The 32-year-old has lost both times in which he has lasted six frames this season - his shortest outing is four innings. Miley is 1-0 with a 5.59 ERA in two career starts against the Twins and has struggled to retire former Astro Marwin Gonzalez (7-for-15, one homer).
WALK-OFFS
1. Gonzalez, a key cog on Houston's 2017 World Series championship squad, received a warm welcome in his first return as a visiting player but was hitless in four at-bats.
2. Houston RF Josh Reddick has recorded three three-hit performances in his last five games, going 11-for-21 during the stretch.
3. Minnesota RF Max Kepler (1-for-3, two walks) and RHP Blake Parker (one scoreless inning) each returned Monday from three-game absences due to stomach illnesses.