Ascending Astros aim to remain hot vs. reeling Braves

HOUSTON -- Beyond a lineup that has produced up and down the order and a bullpen that is as formidable as it is unheralded, the Houston Astros keep doing the one thing that is fundamental to season-long success: They win series after series.

Houston (21-11) won its rubber match with the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday to claim its eighth victory in 10 series this season.

The Astros will look to continue that momentum on Tuesday night when they open a two-game interleague set against the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park.

Houston's 21 wins are tied with the Washington Nationals for most in the majors. It ranks second in the American League to the New York Yankees with a plus-33 run differential.

The Astros improved to 4-0 on Sundays, including three consecutive rubber-match wins over the Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics and Angels.

It sounds trite when managers and players reference the significance of winning series, but the long, six-month haul of the regular season is defined by an ability to do just that. Successful teams understand and respect the importance of making the best of the seemingly endless procession of three-game sets that outline the summer.

"This is what it's about: trying to win every series," Astros second baseman Jose Altuve said after his three-run home run proved instrumental in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Angels. "The way this team is playing is amazing so everything you can do to keep going and keep winning games and series, we've got to go out there and do it."

Right-hander Charlie Morton (3-2, 3.97 ERA) will be on the mound on Tuesday. Morton has won consecutive starts for the Astros by allowing five runs on 10 hits and two walks with 20 strikeouts over 13 innings.

Morton began his career with the Braves, who selected him in the third round of the 2002 amateur draft. Morton went 4-8 with a 6.15 ERA in his lone season with the Braves in 2008 before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates the following season. He is 2-2 with a 3.96 ERA over five career starts against his former club.

Atlanta (11-18) will counter with right-hander Bartolo Colon (1-3, 6.27 ERA), who is 8-3 with a 3.45 ERA over 12 career starts against the Astros. Colon has dropped consecutive decisions and has an 8.44 ERA over his last three starts.

The Braves have lost six of seven after closing to within two games of .500 with a win over the Milwaukee Brewers on April 29. Mired in last place in the National League East, the Braves' bullpen has contributed to that standing, ranking 13th in the NL with a 4.99 ERA and just five saves. Opponents are batting .257 against Atlanta relievers, a mark that ranks 12th in the NL. Only the Marlins, Nationals and Pirates have a lower bullpen strikeout rate than the Braves' 21.4 percent.

Atlanta just completed a 1-5 homestand, somewhat souring the ongoing celebration of the inaugural season at SunTrust Park. Currently, the Braves are seeking anything steering them toward positive momentum.

"You can't just keep taking (positives) from each game," Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman said to MLB.com. "We've got to start winning. We've dug ourselves in a hole, really. You can't keep taking a positive from every game and expect to come out here tomorrow or the next day and say we'll get them next time. We've got to start doing it. Obviously, frustration has set in a little bit."