twins vs. houston

series preview

THREE-GAME SERIES AT TARGET FIELD

Friday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Phil Hughes (6-1, 3.12 ERA) vs. LHP Dallas Keuchel (6-3, 2.70)

Saturday, 1:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Kyle Gibson (4-5, 4.35) vs. RHP Scott Feldman (3-3, 4.25)

Sunday, 1:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Sam Deduno (2-3, 3.83) vs. RHP Collin McHugh (4-3, 2.52)

TWINS UPDATE

The Twins are only 3-7 against the AL West, with all of the games at home. … They are 16-10 all-time vs. the Astros, including 5-1 last year after Houston joined the AL. They swept three from Houston at home last year, the Astros' only appearance at Target Field before this series. ... Hughes has won six consecutive decisions, and the Twins have gone 8-0 in his past eight starts. Hughes has a 1.99 ERA in 54 innings over that stretch. ... C Josmil Pinto ranks third among rookies in home runs with seven, behind Chicago's Jose Abreu and Houston's George Springer. ... The Twins have fallen to 10th in the AL in runs scored, and ninth in runs allowed. Houston ranks 14th and 11th.

ASTROS UPDATE

Houston's seven-game winning streak last week got plenty of attention, but the Astros had lost three of four games after that before holding off the Angels 8-5 at home Thursday night. The Astros remain in last place in the AL West, but they no longer have the worst record in the AL, having passed Tampa Bay. ... They are 12-17 on the road, but have won five in a row. ... 1B Jon Singleton, one of the top prospects in baseball, homered in his first major league game on Monday. … RF Springer, another highly regarded rookie, hit 10 home runs in May, with 24 RBI and a .294 batting average. ... 2B Jose Altuve has a hit in 25 of his past 27 games and leads the majors in hits with 82. ... Friday's starter, Keuchel, has won four of his past five starts, and the Astros are 7-4 when he pitches.

PHIL MILLER