Houston @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 16, 2012 ) Houston 3, Texas 8

Texas will be looking to cap a home sweep of in-state rival Houston after posting comfortable victories in the first two games. The Rangers followed up Friday’s 6-2 triumph with a 7-3 rout on Saturday evening, riding a three-run homer by Nelson Cruz as Justin Grimm won his major league debut. Houston, which fell to 9-24 on the road this year, has dropped eight of its last 11 games against Texas, including four of five in 2012.

The Rangers continue to lead the American League West and top the major leagues in most major offensive categories, including batting average (.282), runs scored (349) and OPS (.799). The Astros, who rank among baseball’s worst in most pitching categories, put Sunday’s scheduled starter, Bud Norris, on the disabled list Saturday with a sprained knee. Dallas Keuchel will make his major league debut.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Houston (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (0-0, ERA 0.00) vs. Rangers RH Colby Lewis (5-5, ERA 3.13)

The 23-year-old Keuchel, a seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft after leading Arkansas to the College World Series, gets his first taste of the big leagues after going 5-4 with a 4.26 ERA for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The left-hander has not been overpowering, but he has shown solid command, walking just 15 batters in 80 1/3 innings of work.

Lewis was fantastic in his last trip to the mound, allowing just four hits in a 4-1, complete-game victory over Arizona on June 12. The right-hander leads the major leagues in K/BB ratio with 74 strikeouts and 11 walks, allowing just three free passes over his last 37 innings. Lewis is 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA in eight games against the Astros, including a win on May 20.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Astros 1B/LF Carlos Lee, who has been on the disabled list with an injured hamstring, is expected to rejoin the lineup on Sunday. He is 5-for-21 with two doubles and a home run against Lewis.

2. Houston has lost 55 of its last 73 games (.247 winning percentage) away from home.

3. Texas has won 37 of its last 54 home games and is 21-8 in its last 29 games against the National League Central.