Houston @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 12, 2013 ) Texas 2, Houston 1

The Texas Rangers seek to continue their season-long dominance of Houston when they host the Astros in Monday’s opener of a three-game set. Texas is 11-2 against Houston this season, and stands four victories shy of the franchise mark (15 against Seattle in 2011) for most wins against a team in a single season. The Astros are 4-2 on a nine-game road trip after taking two of three from both the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels.

Houston is far from the only American League West team that Texas has enjoyed success against as the Rangers are 38-16 versus their four division foes. The Rangers lost to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday and the setback was just their fourth in 19 games and trimmed their lead in the AL West to a half-game over the Athletics. Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez went 8-for-14 with two homers in the series against the Angels, with the decisive three-run homer on Sunday as part of a four-hit game.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, CSN (Houston), FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lucas Harrell (6-13, 5.16 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Matt Garza (2-1, 3.86)

Harrell will take the ball after scheduled Monday starter Jordan Lyles pitched in relief against the Angels on Sunday. He has made 20 starts this season but only one since the Rangers torched him for nine runs (seven earned) on five hits in 3 2/3 innings on July 5. Harrell is 1-4 with a 5.87 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against the Rangers.

Garza went seven innings or more in his first four starts for the Rangers before lasting just 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Brewers. He allowed four runs for the third straight start and eight hits - including two homers. Garza, who is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two outings against Houston this season, is 3-3 with a 4.05 ERA in eight career starts against the Astros.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston OF L.J. Hoes belted his first major-league homer on Sunday and went 8-for-13 in the series against the Angels.

2. Rangers OF David Murphy has two homers in 11 career at-bats against Harrell. 3B Adrian Beltre is 6-for-13 with a homer and two doubles.

3. Astros C Jason Castro is 3-for-9 with two homers against Garza.

PREDICTION: Rangers 12, Astros 6