Milwaukee @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( May 17, 2012 ) Milwaukee 0, Houston 4
The Houston Astros have to be happy to head back to Minute Maid Field, but they can't like the matchup they'll face on the mound. After losing all seven games of a road trip to Chicago and Pittsburgh, the Astros have lost eight straight as they head home to face the Milwaukee Brewers and Yovani Gallardo, a pitcher who has dominated them over the years.
The Brewers had won four straight before dropping the final two games of their series with Miami, including a 4-0 defeat Thursday. Milwaukee is eight games behind National League Central leader Pittsburgh and could still go either way as to whether it is a buyer or seller at the trade deadline.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee), Fox Sports Houston
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (6-6, 3.87 ERA) vs. Astros LH J.A. Happ (6-8, 4.81 ERA)
Gallardo didn't get a decision his last time out but he pitched well Sunday against Arizona, allowing three hits and five walks over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. It was his fifth straight quality start. Gallardo is 10-2 with a 2.81 ERA in 12 starts against the Astros, and he has won his last seven outings against them dating to 2009.
Happ recorded his third straight quality start Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, allowing three runs on five hits over six innings, but he was unable to earn his third straight win in a 3-2 loss. Happ has figured in the decision in his last 12 outings and 14 of his 16 starts this season. Happ is 3-2 with a 5.26 ERA in eight games (seven starts) against the Brewers, including a win May 17 in Houston in which he threw six scoreless innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Brewers OF Norichika Aoki is riding a career-best 12-game hitting streak. Aoki was 2-for-3 with a double against Happ earlier this season.
2. Several Brewers have given Happ fits, led by Rickie Weeks (6-for-11, 1 HR), Corey Hart (8-for-18, 1 HR) and Ryan Braun (6-for-20, 2 HR).
3. The Astros' current roster is a collective 6-for-50 (.120) with only one extra-base hit and no RBIs against Gallardo.