Arizona @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 22, 2012 ) Houston 2, Arizona 8

The Arizona Diamondbacks are clinging to the hope that they can come back and challenge for a playoff spot in the National League. Visiting the Houston Astros can only help their chances. The Diamondbacks avoided a sweep in a three-game series at St. Louis this week with a dramatic win in Thursday‘s finale, pulling to .500 at 59-59. The Astros are fumbling their way toward the worst record in baseball and are 5-27 since the All-Star break.

Arizona could not find any offense in St. Louis, totaling six runs in the series. But Paul Goldschmidt and Chris Young each hit a solo homer in the ninth inning on Thursday for a 2-1 victory. The Diamondbacks are now within 5 1/2 games of first place in the NL West and are six games out of a wild-card spot. Houston will clinch a losing season with a series loss this weekend but has been better at Minute Maid Park, posting a 27-32 home record. The Astros continue to fill the lineup with young players as they evaluate for the future.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSAZ (Arizona), FSH (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Wade Miley (12-8, 3.02 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (1-4, 5.29)

Miley had a run of strong starts come to an end last Saturday, when he was touched for six runs (four earned) and nine hits over 4 1/3 innings in a loss to Washington. The All-Star left-hander has gotten by on stellar control, not issuing more than one walk in any of his last four starts. Miley earned a win over the Astros on July 21, striking out a career-high nine while surrendering one run on four hits in seven innings.

Keuchel has not won since June 23 but has been better of late. The rookie left-hander held Milwaukee to four runs (two earned) and five hits in six innings while striking out six and not walking a batter last weekend. Keuchel, who seemed to be hitting a rookie wall while struggling with his command in July, has walked only one batter in two starts this month. The 24-year old was lit up for seven runs (six earned) and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings at Arizona on July 21. Jason Kubel homered twice off Keuchel in that contest.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Diamondbacks are 55-15 when scoring four runs or more and improved to 4-44 when held to three or less with Thursday‘s triumph.

2. The Astros continued building toward the future on Thursday, receiving pitching prospect Kevin Comer from the Toronto Blue Jays to complete a trade from last month.

3. Goldschmidt has homered in two straight games and has driven in five runs over the last four contests.