HOUSTON — There's not much in the way of good news for the Twins.
Twins, Astros resume series with Dylan Bundy facing Framber Valdez
Houston won the opener 4-2 as the Twins fell farther behind Cleveland in the American League Central.
After All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton went on the injured list Tuesday, the Twins lost their fourth straight game with a conflict-filled 4-2 loss to the Astros.
And first place Cleveland won in San Diego Wednesday afternoon to move 3 1/2 games ahead of the second place Twins in the American League Central.
Tonight the Twins face Astros lefthander Framber Valdez (12-4, 2.72 ERA) at Minute Maid Park (7:10 p.m., BSN). Righthander Dylan Bundy (7-5, 4.60) is starting for the Twins.
The Astros have the best record (79-45) in the American League.
The Twins put righthander Cole Sands, who was struck with a liner on Tuesday, on the 15-day injured list because of a bruised pitching elbow. Devin Smeltzer was recalled from St. Paul.
TWINS LINEUP
Jorge Polanco, 2B
Carlos Correa, SS
Jose Miranda, 1B
Gio Urshela, 3B
Luis Arraez, DH
Gilberto Celestino, CF
Tim Beckham, LF
Max Kepler, RF
Sandy Leon, C
ASTROS LINEUP
Jose Altuve, 2B
Yuli Gurriel, 1B
Yordan Alvarez, DH
Alex Bregman, 3B
Kyle Tucker, RF
Trey Mancini, LF
Jeremy Pena, SS
Chas McCormick, CF
Martin Maldonado, C
Given the continuing payroll restrictions, the Twins are unlikely to make a free-agent splash in the offseason, but Juan Soto megadeal may get things moving.