Cubs at Astros
The Houston Astros have thrived playing interleague games since the start of 2015 as they try for a three-game sweep of the visiting Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. Houston is 57-25 versus the National League in the last four-plus seasons after Tuesday's 9-6 victory and is an American League-best 22-7 at home this year while enjoying a comfortable lead in the American League West.
The Astros' latest success was spearheaded by Alex Bregman, who belted two home runs and has 12 in May - breaking the franchise record set by Jimmy Wynn in 1969. Houston (37-19) continues to roll without second baseman Jose Altuve (leg fatigue and soreness), right fielder George Springer (hamstring) and shortstop Carlos Correa (ribs), who has missed the last two games. Chicago (30-23) remained in first place in the competitive National League Central despite losing five times in its last six games and is 5-9 in its past 14. Houston's Wade Miley puts his perfect home record on the line Wednesday when he opposes Kyle Hendricks, who has recorded quality starts in four of his last five outings.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ESPN; NBCS Chicago, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (4-4, 3.34 ERA) vs. Astros LH Wade Miley (5-2, 3.32)
Hendricks received a no-decision after allowing three runs and three hits with nine strikeouts in six innings of Chicago's 6-5 loss to Cincinnati on Friday. The 29-year-old Californian has yielded seven runs over 11 2/3 frames in his last two starts after permitting one run across 25 innings in the previous three turns. Hendricks, who has never faced Houston, is 2-3 with a 6.00 ERA in five road starts this season.
Miley allowed one run and four hits while striking out eight in six innings of a 4-3 victory over Boston on Friday. The 32-year-old Louisiana native hasn't lost in seven straight decisions (4-0) and is 3-0 with a 2.15 ERA in five starts at Minute Maid Park. The Cubs' Anthony Rizzo is 2-for-20 while Javier Baez is 0-for-8 versus Miley, who is 6-2 with a 4.08 ERA in nine starts against Chicago
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 3B-OF Kris Bryant on Tuesday missed his second straight game after colliding in the outfield with Jason Heyward on Sunday but manager Joe Maddon said Bryant could play Wednesday.
2. Astros C Garrett Stubbs on Tuesday went 2-for-4 with an RBI in his major league debut.
3. Chicago 3B David Bote is 10-for-19 during a seven-game hitting streak after going 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs Tuesday, while 1B Rizzo went 1-for-4 on Tuesday to extend his hitting streak to 10 games (18-for-39).