Astros at Rays
The American League West-leading Houston Astros hope to begin another road winning streak when they visit the surging Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday for the third of a four-game series. The Astros managed just three hits during a 3-2 loss Friday night to end an 11-game run away from home and will seek their 31st win in 43 contests on the road as ace Justin Verlander takes the mound.
Verlander is 8-3 in 17 career outings against Tampa Bay and looks to get some more offensive support from red-hot third baseman Alex Bregman, who is 11-for-21 with five doubles, four homers and eight RBIs during a five-game hitting streak. Verlander will oppose reliever Ryne Stanek, who has struck out 19 in 12 2/3 scoreless innings at home this season, as the Rays continue to battle through a stretch of injuries to their starting pitchers. Tampa Bay lost another starter Friday as right-hander Wilmer Font suffered a right lat strain after pitching five innings of one-hit ball to get the victory. The Rays (40-41) have still won eight of their last 11 contests to pull within one victory of the .500 mark, and Matt Duffy has been one keys as the third baseman is 10-for-31 during an eight-game hitting streak.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet - Southwest (Houston), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Justin Verlander (9-3, 1.82 ERA) vs. Rays RH Ryne Stanek (1-1, 1.85)
Verlander gave up season highs in earned runs (four) and hits (seven) across 6 2/3 innings Monday in a 6-3 setback against Toronto. The 35-year-old former MVP, who boasts 136 strikeouts in 113 2/3 frames overall, was unbeaten over his previous seven starts while allowing two or fewer runs in five of them. C.J. Cron homered June 19 against Verlander, who gave up one run over 6 2/3 innings with 10 strikeouts in a no-decision against the Rays in that outing.
Stanek will open the game for the ninth time this season and has been outstanding in the role, permitting just two runs over 11 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old Kansas native, who is unscored upon in 10 outings at home this season, has not given up a run in 14 2/3 innings during June while striking out 17 and walking seven. Stanek has faced Houston three times in the last two weeks, striking out four and walking two in 4 1/3 scoreless frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay INF/OF Daniel Robertson has hit safely in five straight games, going 6-for-18 in that span.
2. Houston OF George Springer did not start in Friday’s contest and is just 3-for-45 over his last 12 games.
3. Rays SS Adeiny Hechavarria, who knocked in a run Friday, has not committed an error in his last 94 contests.