Astros at Reds
The Houston Astros will try to avoid being swept for the first time in 2019 when they finish a three-game set against the host Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. The Reds have taken a pair of one-run games to begin the interleague series, riding three home runs to a 4-3 triumph in Tuesday's matchup.
The Astros have dropped three in a row overall, tied for their longest slide of the year, while scoring a total of five runs. An injury-ravaged Houston lineup will get a big boost Wednesday with the return of star second baseman Jose Altuve, who has made his way back from a hamstring injury. Cincinnati is in possession of its first three-game winning streak since May 9-11 and moved over .500 (18-17) at home with Tuesday's win. It turns to Tyler Mahle on the mound for the finale opposite Gerrit Cole, who is 1-8 in his career against the Reds.
TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (6-5, 3.67 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tyler Mahle (2-7, 4.33)
Cole is 5-1 in his last six decisions after earning the win with six innings of two-run ball against Toronto his last time out. He struck out 10 batters in the victory after fanning 14 in his previous outing and entered Tuesday leading the majors with 140. The UCLA product saw plenty of the Reds during his five seasons with Pittsburgh and posted a 4.97 ERA in 12 matchups.
Mahle dropped his first two games in June while giving up seven runs - five earned - in a total of 9 1/3 innings. He lasted a season-low 4 1/3 innings while walking three and hitting a batter in a loss to Texas on Friday. The 24-year-old has never faced the Astros but is 3-3 with a 3.45 ERA in six career interleague starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Reds RHP Michael Lorenzen recorded a save in each of the first two games of the series and has four on the season.
2. Astros rookie LF Yordan Alvarez had an RBI double Tuesday and has driven in nine runs in eight major league games.
3. Cincinnati has won 44 of the last 63 meetings.