Houston @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 20, 2011 ) Houston 3, Texas 8

THE STORY: It is hard to say what got the Texas Rangers back on track Monday - returning home or getting a visit from the Houston Astros, the team with the worst record in the majors. Either way, the Rangers rebounded from a 3-7 road trip with an 8-3 win Monday, and they will try to carry that momentum into the second game of the interleague series Tuesday.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Houston, Fox Sports Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Jordan Lyles (0-2, 4.30 ERA) vs. Rangers LH C.J. Wilson (7-3, 3.03 ERA). Lyles has been solid, if unspectacular, in his first four major league starts, but he is still looking for his first win. He was hurt by a shoddy defense in a 5-4 loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday as two of the five runs he allowed over 5 2/3 innings were unearned. Lyles racked up a career-high eight strikeouts in that one, and he is averaging more than a strikeout per inning over his last two starts. Wilson has won his last three decisions, but he had to settle for a no-decision in a 3-2 loss to the Yankees on Thursday despite allowing only two runs over eight innings. He struck out 10 in that one - his fifth game this season with double-digit strikeouts - and has posted six consecutive quality starts. Wilson has faced the Astros 12 times - but only two starts - and is 2-1 with a 3.52 ERA against them.

ABOUT THE ASTROS (27-47): The Astros are 20 games below .500 for the first time since 2007, and they haven't been that far below .500 this early in the season since 2000, when they started 25-45. They did get some good news, though, when they learned Hunter Pence's MRI revealed no significant damage, and he could return to the lineup Tuesday after missing three games with a sprained left elbow.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (39-35): The Rangers have won 11 of 13 against the Astros since 2009 and they have outscored Houston 79-39 during that span. Texas is 21-13 at home, where it will play 15 of its next 18 games. After going 2-for-4 with a two-run triple Monday, Josh Hamilton has hit safely in 15 consecutive interleague games at home.

FINAL PITCH: Astros outfielder Michael Bourn picked up his major league-best 30th stolen base Monday, giving him 30 or more steals in four consecutive seasons.