Chicago @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2012 ) Chi. Cubs 0, Houston 1

First baseman Anthony Rizzo avoided a serious injury and could be in the lineup when the visiting Chicago Cubs complete a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Wednesday. Rizzo went sprawling and landed on his upper back and right shoulder after being involved in a collision with Astros first baseman Brett Wallace. Rizzo left the contest and said after the game that he was dazed at the time of the play but otherwise feels fine.

Houston won Tuesday’s game 1-0 despite committing four errors. The Astros (45-97) are 5-5 following a six-game skid but still are shoo-ins to lose 100 games. Chicago (55-87) needs to go 8-12 over its final 20 games to avoid a 100-loss campaign. The Cubs have been blanked 12 times this season. Chicago had won four straight road games before losing Tuesday. The Cubs are just 21-53 on the road.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Plus (Chicago), Fox Sports Houston

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Travis Wood (5-11, 4.42 ERA) vs. Astros LH Fernando Abad (0-3, 5.30)

Wood snapped a six-game losing skid and 10-start winless stretch by blanking the Pittsburgh Pirates on one hit over six innings in his last outing. It was third time this season that Wood didn’t allow a run. One of the strong performances came against the Astros on July 1 when he allowed just three hits in 7 2/3 innings. Wood is 2-2 with a 2.09 ERA in seven career starts against Houston.

Abad is making his fourth straight start and he has yet to pitch more than 4 1/3 innings. He lasted four innings in his last outing when he allowed five runs (four earned) and six hits. Opposing batters are hitting .326 against him. Abad has a 2.16 ERA in 10 career relief appearances against Chicago.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros 2B Jose Altuve (abdominal strain) entered Tuesday’s contest in the eighth inning after missing the previous three games.

2. Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano is 0-for-7 in the series and is batting just .176 in 10 games against Houston this season.

3. Houston OF Fernando Martinez is batting .409 (9-for-22) over the last nine contests.