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Astros-Brewers Preview

May 26, 2010 - 4:51 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Houston (15-29) at Milwaukee (17-27), 8:10 p.m. EDT

No matter what his future holds, Roy Oswalt will do his best to help the Houston Astros win as long as he's still part of the team.

Making his first start since asking to be traded, the veteran right-hander looks to prevent his first five-game losing streak as the visiting Astros try to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Oswalt (2-6, 2.66 ERA) has one of the lowest ERA's in the NL, but the 2.07 average runs of support the Astros (15-30) give him is the lowest in the majors. Houston has totaled six runs in his six losses.

With the Astros owning the worst record in the NL, Oswalt communicated to owner Drayton McLane through his agent that dealing him might benefit both parties if the team is unable to turn things around. However, the last time Houston lost 30 of its first 45 was in 2005 when it reached the World Series.

Oswalt, whose contract expires after next season, isn't sure this team can do the same and believes he has a two-year window to contribute to a World Series contender.

"Hopefully, there may be some options for both of us out there. I think it would be a good thing for both of us," said Oswalt, who is 139-76 with a 3.21 ERA since breaking into the majors with Houston in 2001.

In the meantime, the three-time All-Star won't change his approach as he tries to help the Astros avoid a fifth straight loss at Miller Park, where Milwaukee (18-27) snapped an eight-game home losing streak with a 6-1 victory in Tuesday's series opener.

"I'm going to compete and hopefully, keep the game close and hopefully, we'll win some games," said Oswalt, 13-8 with a 3.75 ERA against Milwaukee.

Oswalt allowed three runs and struck out eight in six innings of a 4-0 loss to Colorado on Thursday.

That game started the current five-game stretch in which the Astros have totaled 11 runs. Their 133 runs are the fewest in the majors.

"We're not a good offensive team. Nobody's hitting and until we do, what can you say but that," said slugger Lance Berkman, 0 for 4 with two strikeouts Tuesday.

Former Brewer Carlos Lee went 0 for 4 to drop his average to .192. The veteran left fielder is 2 for 19 in his last five games, and 5 for 30 in his last eight at Miller Park.

After Milwaukee's Randy Wolf held them to four hits over seven scoreless innings, the Astros hope for a better effort against scheduled starter Chris Narveson (4-1, 5.17).

The left-hander gave up three first-inning runs Thursday but held Pittsburgh scoreless for the next five, improving to 4-0 on the road in a 4-3 win.

Narveson is 3-1 with a 4.45 ERA in five starts since leaving the bullpen late last month. He is making his first start versus the Astros but has a 2.45 ERA with no decisions in three relief appearances against them.

Rickie Weeks and Ryan Braun each hit two-run homers Tuesday for the Brewers, who have won two in a row after dropping 11 of 13.

"For us to be able to win a couple of games that are close will be key," third baseman Casey McGehee said. "Hopefully we can bottle that up."

Batting .328, Braun is 7 for 14 with three homers against Oswalt.