HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Pittsburgh Pirates send right-hander Mike Burrows (3-6) to the mound Tuesday night against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park, opening a three-game interleague series between two clubs trending in opposite directions. Pittsburgh (32-28) arrives having won three straight, including a 9-3 victory Sunday over Minnesota in which right-hander Braxton Ashcraft struck out 11 over six innings. Ashcraft, a key player to watch, has posted a 1.29 ERA over his past three starts, spanning 19.1 innings with 25 strikeouts. Houston (27-34) has dropped six of its last eight and was shut out 2-0 by Milwaukee on Sunday. Right-hander Tatsuya Imai worked six innings of three-hit ball, striking out five. Imai, the Astros’ player to watch, holds a 1.50 ERA over his past two outings despite taking the loss Sunday. Burrows will make his 12th start of the season. The Pirates have not announced whether right-hander Bubba Chandler (1-6) will be available out of the bullpen after being listed as a probable starter earlier in the week. Houston has not announced a starting pitcher for Tuesday. The Astros are 5-5 in their last 10 games and have scored two or fewer runs in four of their past six. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-6 Pirates victory. Pittsburgh is a -1.5 favorite on the run line, and the over-under is set at 9 runs. The Pirates have won five of their last six games and are 17-12 on the road. The Astros are 13-17 at home. Pittsburgh continues its road trip with games at Atlanta this weekend. Houston returns home to host Oakland beginning Friday.