Tigers at Rockies
Justin Verlander has thrived in interleague play and looks to improve his record to 31-5 when the Detroit Tigers conclude their three-game series against the host Colorado Rockies on Wednesday afternoon. Verlander's .857 winning percentage leads all active pitchers with 15 or more decisions, and his next win will tie him with Bartolo Colon for most interleague victories among active pitchers.
The 34-year-old Verlander is making his second career start at Coors Field, and the first went well as he gave up one run and four hits en route to a complete-game victory in 2011. Detroit will be without slugger Miguel Cabrera (back) for the second straight game and the club has an off-day Thursday to give him more time to recover. Rockies All-Star Nolan Arenado clubbed a three-run homer in Tuesday's 7-3 victory to reach 30 blasts for the third consecutive season. Jonathan Lucroy is 5-for-8 with a homer in the series for Colorado, which has won four of its last six contests to open a four-game lead over Milwaukee for the National League's second wild-card berth.
TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (9-8, 3.90 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (0-1, 3.79)
Verlander has won four of his last five decisions and allowed fewer than three runs in five of his last six outings. His interleague reputation has held up this season as he has gone 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in three such turns. Verlander is 2-0 with a 1.99 ERA in three career starts against Colorado but has had mixed results against Mark Reynolds (6-for-21, one homer, 10 strikeouts).
Bettis is making his fourth start of the season since returning from his courageous battle with testicular cancer. The 28-year-old lost to Atlanta in his last turn as he served up two homers while giving up five runs and six hits in five innings. Bettis has posted a 1.93 ERA in two starts at Coors Field this season and is 12-6 with a 4.58 ERA in 30 career home outings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rockies RF Carlos Gonzalez (ankle) missed consecutive starts but contributed a sacrifice fly as a pinch-hitter on Tuesday.
2. Detroit SS Jose Iglesias is hitless in six at-bats in the series and 0-for-9 over his last three games.
3. Colorado SS Trevor Story recorded two hits on Tuesday and is 7-for-18 during his five-game hitting streak.