Rating: 2 Units

Houston won only four of 10 games following a 6-1 start, in part because its offense scored three runs or fewer six times from April 6-16. The Astros still were scuffling at the plate in a 2-1 loss at Seattle on Monday to begin their trek, but they have progressively scored more runs in each contest during their four-game winning streak, topped off by a 10-0 rout of Chicago in Friday's series opener in which Springer drove in four runs and Correa clubbed two homers. Whereas Houston has outscored its opponents 30-4 during its winning streak, Chicago has been outscored 44-14 (11 of which came in one game) during its five-game slide. The White Sox have dropped 10 of 11 overall but may have other things on its mind entering the weekend, however, as reliever Danny Farquhar was taken to the hospital after passing out in the team's dugout Friday following a short relief appearance in the sixth inning.

Rating: 2 Units

Paxton picked up his first victory of the season Monday when he gave up one run and three hits over six innings. The 29-year-old has given up five runs over his last three turns after being roughed up for six runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings by Cleveland on March 31. Paxton is 2-4 with a 4.62 ERA in 10 career starts against Texas and has regularly been torched by Adrian Beltre (9-of-16 with one homer and six RBIs). Texas starter Colon is making his fifth appearance (third start) for the Rangers and he has a stellar 0.70 WHIP while holding opponents to a .177 batting average. He was solid in his first start of the season as well as he limited Oakland to one run and seven hits over six innings. Colon is 20-12 with a 3.84 ERA in 37 career starts against Seattle.

Rating: 2 Units

Sale has just one victory in four starts this season despite allowing a total of three runs over 16 innings. The 29-year-old Floridian has yet to work more than six innings, however, lasting only five while giving up one run and two hits in a no-decision against Baltimore on Sunday. Sale owns a 5-2 record and 2.60 ERA in eight starts and five relief appearances versus Oakland in his career. Oakland starter Manaea has been nearly as good as Sale this season, yielding five runs over 27 2/3 innings in four starts. The 26-year-old native of Indiana notched a victory at Seattle on Sunday after giving up one run and two hits in seven frames. Manaea has struggled against Boston in his career, going 1-2 in three starts while surrendering 18 runs and 26 hits (four homers) over 11 1/3 innings.

Rating: 2 Units

Right-hander Kyle Gibson goes for the Twins, who have played back-to-back extra-inning contests. Eddie Rosario belted a grand slam to tie it and Max Kepler’s solo shot gave Minnesota a lead in the ninth, but the most important homer Friday for the Twins might have been Logan Morrison’s first of the season in the second inning after coming in batting .068. Brian Dozier had a pair of singles in the series opener for Minnesota and has hit safely in all 14 games this season while batting .290. Minnesota 1B Joe Mauer, who is batting .333 overall, went hitless Friday (0-for-4) for only the second time in 13 games this season.

Rating: 2 Units

The Flyers aim to avert an 0-3 postseason performance for the second time in 20 years against Pittsburgh, which has posted wins in Philadelphia with lopsided scores of 5-1, 5-2, 5-1 and 5-0 - with the latter two coming in Game 3 and 4 of this series. Penguins superstar captain Sidney Crosby has tuned out Flyers fans and the team itself in Philadelphia, erupting for 10 points (two goals, eight assists) and a plus-8 rating in four games this season at Wells Fargo Center.

Rating: 2 Units

Smith is hoping to solve his problems on the road, where he has surrendered eight runs on seven hits and a whopping 11 walks over only 5 1/3 innings in two starts - both losses. The Sam Houston State product lasted on 2 1/3 frames against the Yankees in New York on Monday as he was tagged for five runs on five hits and as many walks. Smith, who remains in search of his first major-league victory despite making 13 appearances (six starts), will be facing Milwaukee for the first time in his career. Milwaukee starter, Guerra has been superb in two starts since being recalled from the minors, allowing one run and five hits with 11 strikeouts across 11 innings. The 33-year-old Venezuelan settled for a no-decision against Cincinnati on Tuesday despite giving up just one hit over 5 2/3 scoreless frames. Guerra, already has matched his win total over 21 games last season.

Rating: 2 Units

Pivetta is rolling along and allowed two or fewer runs in each of his last three turns. The Canada native did not factor in the decision in either of his last two turns despite holding the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves to a total of three runs in 12 frames and owns 21 strikeouts with just two walks in 21 2/3 total innings. Pittsburgh starter,  Williams lost his only start against Philadelphia last season, surrendering three runs and four hits in 5 2/3 frames..

Rating: 2 Units

Liriano makes his fourth start of the season and his second against the Royals, having beaten them in his season debut with 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball. He turned in another quality start in his next outing but took the loss despite six innings of two-run ball before beating Baltimore last time out by yielding two runs in five innings. Liriano is 8-5 with a 4.16 ERA in 20 career appearances (17 starts) versus the Royals.