Angels at Astros
Justin Verlander attempts to become the second pitcher in Houston Astros history to win his first nine regular-season decisions with the club when he faces the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday afternoon in the finale of their three-game series. Verlander looks to tie Roger Clemens, who began his first campaign with Houston in 2004 with a 9-0 record.
Verlander has posted a 1.08 ERA in 10 regular-season outings since joining the Astros in August and also owns a streak of 10 consecutive regular-season victories, including his final two decisions while with Detroit. The veteran is off to a strong start this season as he leads the American League with a 1.10 ERA. Los Angeles won the first two games of the series and Andrelton Simmons contributed two homers and a career-high five RBIs in Tuesday's 8-7 triumph. Angels star Mike Trout bashed his major league-leading 10th home run of the season but is just 2-for-20 - both hits are homers - against Verlander.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS West (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Nick Tropeano (1-1, 3.75 ERA) vs. Astros RH Justin Verlander (3-0, 1.10)
Tropeano was roughed up by Boston in his last turn as he allowed five runs and seven hits - two homers - over 5 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old was a fifth-round draft pick of the Astros in 2011 and initially reached the majors with the club in 2014 before being traded to the Angels. Tropeano has a 3.86 ERA in two career no-decisions against his former club and has struggled with Jose Altuve (4-for-6) and Josh Reddick (4-for-7).
Verlander yielded two hits in six innings to beat the Chicago White Sox in his last turn for his third scoreless appearance of the season. The 35-year-old has allowed just 17 hits and three walks in 32 2/3 frames for an impressive 0.77 WHIP and opposing batters are hitting just .152 against him. Verlander is 8-8 with a 3.36 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 19 career starts against the Angels and has shut down Kole Calhoun (2-for-23, 11 strikeouts) and Luis Valbuena (3-for-30, one homer, 14 strikeouts).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Angels have won 11 straight road games, tying the franchise mark set in 1988.
2. Altuve was hitless in five at-bats on Tuesday after going 12-for-29 during his seven-game hitting streak.
3. Calhoun struck out three times in four hitless at-bats on Tuesday and is 1-for-24 in his last seven contests.