AP Sports Preview HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros conclude a two-game series Wednesday at Daikin Park, with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m. CDT. Pittsburgh (32-28) sends right-hander Paul Skenes (6-5, 3.18 ERA) to the mound against Houston right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (7-1, 2.67). The Astros (27-34) have lost four of their past five games. The teams played a 2-2 tie Tuesday in a game suspended due to rain. That contest will be resumed before Wednesday’s regularly scheduled game, with the outcome determining the series winner. Pittsburgh enters on a three-game winning streak after sweeping the Minnesota Twins over the weekend. The Pirates outscored Minnesota 25-17 in the series, powered by right-hander Braxton Ashcraft, who threw six innings of two-run ball with 11 strikeouts in Sunday’s 9-3 victory. Ashcraft, the Pirates’ player to watch, has gone 4-1 in his past five starts with a 1.91 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 32 innings. Houston, meanwhile, was shut out 2-0 by Milwaukee on Sunday, managing only three hits against Brewers pitching. Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai was the hard-luck loser, allowing two runs over six innings with five strikeouts. Imai, Houston’s player to watch, has shown flashes of dominance — including a six-inning no-hitter against Texas on May 25 — but has lost three of his past four decisions. Arrighetti has been Houston’s most consistent starter, winning seven of eight decisions. He last pitched May 31, earning a no-decision in an 0-2 loss to Milwaukee after allowing no runs over five innings. Skenes has pitched to a 4.22 ERA over his past three starts. The Interstat game simulator projects a 6-5 Houston victory, but oddsmakers have installed Pittsburgh as a 1.5-run favorite. The over/under is set at 7.5 runs. Wednesday’s probable starters: Skenes vs. Arrighetti. The suspended game from Tuesday will resume at 4 p.m. CDT, with the regularly scheduled game to follow. Following this series, Pittsburgh travels to Atlanta for a three-game set, while Houston hosts the Athletics for three games.