Astros @ Rangers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Houston Astros (57-33)

@ Texas Rangers (48-42)

Starting Pitchers:

Valdez (HOU): 3-4; 4.57 ERA

Lynn (TEX) 11-4; 3.91 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Houston Astros: 7-3

Texas Rangers: 4-6

Current odds:

Houston Astros: (-134)

Texas Rangers: (+124)

• Lance Lynn looks to win his fifth straight start and sixth consecutive decision when the Texas Rangers open a four-game series against the visiting Houston Astros on Thursday. The stretch has raised Lynn’s win total to 11 and he is on pace to surpass his career-best mark of 18 for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012. Lynn will attempt to slow down a Houston team that has the second-best record (57-33) in the American League and third in the majors. The Astros hold a 7 1/2-game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the American League West with the Rangers (48-42) sitting nine games out.

• Houston soared into the All-Star break with seven wins in its past eight games while Texas reached 10 games above .500 before losing six of its last eight before the break. Houston smacked the Rangers around in their last meeting, outscoring them 33-11 in a four-game home sweep from May 9-12.

• Houston hasn’t decided on a starting pitcher for the opener of the series despite announcing Gerrit Cole, Wade Miley and Justin Verlander will start the final three games. Brad Peacock (shoulder) is on the injured list and Jose Urquidy was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, the latter move perhaps signaling that left-hander Framber Valdez (3-4, 4.57 ERA) will be recalled on Thursday to make the start. The 25-year-old Valdez has started four games for the Astros (out of 18 appearances) but was torched for 11 runs over 6 1/3 innings while losing his last two big league starts in the latter part of June.

• Lynn has been consistently good, allowing two or fewer runs in seven of his past 10 starts. The 32-year-old has struck out 30 and walked just two during his four-start winning streak and issued one or fewer bases on balls in 10 of his last 11 outings. Lynn lost to the Astros on May 10 when he gave up three runs and six hits over seven innings and stands 4-2 with a 2.20 ERA in eight career appearances (seven starts) against Houston.

• Astros All-Star OF Michael Brantley posted four-hit outings in each of his last two games before the break.

• Rangers OF Joey Gallo (20 homers) went deep in Tuesday’s All-Star Game but was just 3-for-18 with 12 strikeouts in his final five games before the break.

• Houston All-Star OF George Springer (18 homers) failed to hit one into the seats in his last nine games prior to the break.