MLB Game Preview - Houston at Cleveland

Wed Jul 31, 2019 7:10 PM EDT

Jose Altuve and Yuli Gurriel likely will be sorry to see the month of July come to an end.

Altuve and Gurriel aim to continue their torrid hitting on Wednesday night as the visiting Houston Astros vie for a series victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Altuve recorded his second straight three-hit performance and ninth of the season on Tuesday as the Astros posted a 2-0 victory over Cleveland in the opener of a three-game set.

The 2017 American League Most Valuable Player has elevated his season average to .300 after batting a robust 18-for-35 with four homers, eight RBIs and seven runs scored in his last nine games.

"It means a lot, especially on this team," Altuve said of batting .300. "I've been working really hard every day to get to this point. I just want to be part of this process. I know we have a great opportunity and we have to go out there and make it happen. I want to be part of it."

Altuve doesn't have to sell his team-first attitude to manager A.J. Hinch, who has seen his diminutive star come up big throughout his career.

"The number's big for him and everybody's used to it, but Jose Altuve is a really good player," Hinch said. "That's not really breaking news around July 31."

Gurriel carries a 17-game hitting streak into Wednesday's contest for the Astros, who have won three in a row and 10 of their last 12.

Cleveland mustered just two hits in the series opener en route to being shut out for the ninth time this season as Astros right-hander Justin Verlander struck out 13 in seven innings.

"It was one of those nights as a manager, you're sitting there rooting your guys on, but you're also glad you're not in the batter's box," Indians manager Terry Francona said.

Cleveland, however, reportedly bolstered its lineup after the game as multiple outlets reported that the club acquired outfielders Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes as part of a three-team trade with Cincinnati and San Diego. Puig and Reyes have combined for 49 homers this season.

The Indians also received left-handers Logan Allen and Scott Moss and infielder/outfielder Victor Nova while mercurial right-handed starter Trevor Bauer will head to the Reds, per reports.

Cleveland rookie right-hander Zach Plesac (5-3, 3.10 ERA) will be tasked with keeping Altuve, Gurriel and the rest of the high-octane Astros in check.

Plesac, who is vying for his third straight win, permitted an unearned run on six hits in seven innings in an 8-3 victory at Kansas City on Friday.

The 24-year-old Plesac has yet to face the Astros in his brief career.

Houston rookie right-hander Jose Urquidy (1-0, 4.26) will provide the opposition on Wednesday as he looks to build off a pair of strong outings.

Urquidy allowed one run for the second straight outing on Friday and scattered four hits over six innings in a no-decision at St. Louis.

The 24-year-old Urquidy, who has surrendered just six hits while striking out 15 in his last two contests, will be making his fifth career start and first versus Cleveland.

--Field Level Media