Houston @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 23, 2011 ) Houston 6, Colorado 8

THE STORY: The Colorado Rockies are scheduled to face Wandy Rodriguez when they wrap up a three-game series with the visiting Houston Astros on Wednesday afternoon. But if the reports are true, Rodriguez could be in the home dugout at Coors Field instead. One of the bigger names floating through waivers this month, Rodriguez has reportedly been claimed by the Rockies, who would have 48 hours to work out a deal with the Astros for the veteran lefthander. No matter who is on the mound, Colorado will be looking to sweep the three-game set when it hosts Wednesday’s finale.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, KTXH (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Aaron Cook (3-7, 5.23 ERA) vs. Astros LH Wandy Rodriguez (9-9, 3.31 ERA).

Cook is coming off his longest outing of the season, when he allowed three runs in 7 2/3 innings to earn a win over the Florida Marlins. It has been a bit of a struggle for the veteran sinkerball this season, as he has issued more walks (28) than strikeouts (27). Last Wednesday’s start against Florida marked the first time in 13 2011 starts that he did not walk a batter. Cook is 4-1 with a 3.70 ERA in 10 games against Houston.

The Astros have not announced who would get the ball if a Rodriguez deal should be completed prior to Wednesday afternoon. Rodriguez is coming off a win against San Francisco in which he turned in eight scoreless innings, striking out eight. The 32-year old Dominican is 3-2 with a 3.62 ERA in six career starts at Coors Field.

ABOUT THE ROCKIES (62-68): Colorado likely will have to work out some sort of arrangement on salary if they hope to acquire Rodriguez, who is owed $10 million in 2012, $13 million in 2013 and has a $13 million option for 2014 that becomes a player option if he is traded. With the Rockies 8 ½ games out of the 2011 NL West race, putting Rodriguez into the rotation could be more of a move for 2012, when Colorado hopes to ease Drew Pomeranz - one of the players acquired in the Ubaldo Jimenez deal - into the rotation with Jhoulys Chacin and a rehabilitated Jorge De La Rosa. Another piece of that Jimenez deal, righthander Alex White, made his Rockies debut on Tuesday and surrendered five runs in six innings. The offense bailed White out, as Seth Smith and Jonathan Herrera each hit two-run homers in the 8-6 victory.

ABOUT THE ASTROS (42-87): Houston can either work out a tradel with Colorado for Rodriguez, can let the Rockies take him and his entire salary for a $20,000 waiver claim, or can pull him back and keep the lefty. The Astros have spent the trade season slicing their payroll in advance of the sale of the club, letting Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn go in exchange for prospects prior to the July 31 non-waiver deadline and actively shopping other expensive pieces like Rodriguez and righthander Brett Myers. The exodus of veterans has opened the door for a host of rookies, including Jimmy Paredes, Jose Altuve and J.D. Martinez, who combined for four RBIs on Tuesday.

FINAL PITCH: The Rockies have been active ahead of the waiver deadline, also acquiring third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff from the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Colorado has had trouble filling a hole at the hot corner this season as former top prospect Ian Stewart has regressed. Kouzmanoff was batting .221 with four homers and a paltry .262 on-base percentage for the A’s when he was sent to Class AAA Sacramento on June 6.