PREVIEW: Rays at Astros HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Tampa Bay Rays, owners of the American League’s best record, open a critical three-game series against the Houston Astros on Friday at 8:10 p.m. EDT at Daikin Park. Tampa Bay (50-33) enters riding a wave of dominant pitching and a four-game winning streak. Left-hander Shane McClanahan is scheduled to start. McClanahan (1-1 in his last five starts) is coming off a sharp outing Wednesday against Kansas City, tossing six shutout innings in a 4-0 victory. He allowed three hits and struck out four. However, the All-Star has struggled with consistency, posting a 5.40 ERA over his previous four starts, including a loss to the Dodgers in which he lasted only 3 2/3 innings. The Rays’ offense is clicking. They have scored at least four runs in nine of their last 10 games. Center fielder Cedric Mullins provided a spark Wednesday, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Houston (43-46) is trying to climb above .500 and has split its last 10 games. The Astros dropped the finale of a three-game set against Minnesota 8-3 on Wednesday. Right-handed reliever AJ Blubaugh is a key bullpen piece for Houston. He has been effective over his last 10 appearances, posting a 0.00 ERA in 9 2/3 innings, including 2 2/3 scoreless frames against the Twins on Wednesday. Blubaugh has struck out 20 batters with just three walks during that span. The Astros showed some fight before Wednesday’s loss, taking two of three from Detroit on the road. The schedule continues with games Saturday and Sunday at Daikin Park. Tampa Bay then returns home for a six-game homestand against the Yankees and Mariners. Houston travels to Washington for three games starting Monday. The Interstat game simulator projects an 8-5 victory for the Rays.