Rays at Astros
The red-hot Houston Astros look to surpass their top win streak from last season when they bid for their 12th consecutive victory on Monday in the opener of a three-game series versus the visiting Tampa Bay Rays (33-38). The Astros (48-25) completed a perfect 10-game road trip with sweeps against Texas, Oakland and Kansas City heading into the opener of their nine-game homestand.
Carlos Correa homered for the third time in six outings to highlight his fourth multi-hit performance in that span in Houston's 7-4 triumph over Kansas City on Sunday. The 23-year-old also has eight RBIs and as many runs scored in his last six games while hitting safely in eight of his last nine overall. While the Astros' sizzling stretch has them atop the American League West, the Rays snapped a three-game skid by scoring all of their runs in the second to post a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees. Matt Duffy's two-run single highlighted his eighth third-hit performance of the season heading into a tilt versus Monday starter Gerrit Cole, against whom he is just 1-for-6 in his career.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Sports Sun (Tampa Bay), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Ryne Stanek (1-1, 2.55 ERA) vs. Astros RH Gerrit Cole (8-1, 2.40)
Stanek will get the nod as the Rays dip into the bullpen for a spot start on Monday, per the Tampa Bay Times. The 26-year-old has fared well in his last six trips to the mound, scattering three hits and striking out 11 batters over eight innings in that stretch. Stanek subdued the New York Yankees on Saturday, permitting just one hit while fanning one in 1 1/3 frames of a no-decision.
Cole won his third straight start and improved to 6-0 in his last eight trips to the mound on Wednesday despite allowing four runs on six hits in as many innings of a 13-5 triumph at Oakland. The 27-year-old was taken deep on two occasions for the third time in his last six outings after yielding just three homers in his previous five starts. Carlos Gomez is 5-for-12 in his career versus Cole, but the right-hander has dominated Adeiny Hechavarria (0-for-14).
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay C Wilson Ramos has hit safely in eight of his last nine games.
2. Houston C Evan Gattis has 17 hits - including six homers -- 21 RBIs and nine runs scored in his last 11 contests.
3. Rays DH C.J. Cron is 0-for-18 with 15 strikeouts in his last six games.