Twins at Astros
Justin Verlander looks to remain unbeaten when the Houston Astros host the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday for the third contest of their four-game series. Verlander has allowed one run in each of his three victories to improve his record to 24-9 in 44 regular-season starts since joining the Astros late in the 2017 campaign.
The 36-year-old Verlander has allowed just eight hits over 20 innings during his three victories and is holding opposing batters to a .189 average on the season. He will look to help the Astros win their second straight game after his teammates racked up 12 hits in Tuesday's 10-4 victory. Jose Altuve hit a mammoth three-run homer and Alex Bregman also registered three RBIs as Houston avenged a 9-5 loss in the series opener. Eddie Rosario belted a three-run shot for Minnesota, his sixth blast in six games as he became the first player in franchise history to reach double digits before May 1.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest Plus (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kohl Stewart (2018: 2-1, 3.68 ERA) vs. Astros RH Justin Verlander (3-0, 3.00)
Stewart will be recalled from Triple-A Rochester to make the start in his hometown of Houston. The 24-year-old got his first taste of the majors last season - with one of his eight appearances taking place in Houston, where he blanked the Astros on three hits over five innings of relief on Sept. 4. Stewart, the fourth overall pick of the 2013 draft, was 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA in three starts at Rochester this year.
Verlander defeated Texas in his last turn as he gave up one run and three hits over seven innings. He struck out eight Rangers and has fanned 38 batters while walking only nine in 30 frames this season. Verlander is 19-9 with a 3.00 ERA in 36 career starts against Minnesota and has enjoyed success against Rosario (2-for-14), Jason Castro (1-for-16) and Max Kepler (1-for-12).
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros OF George Springer went 2-for-3 with two RBIs on Tuesday and is 8-for-20 with two homers, three doubles and six RBIs over his last five games.
2. Torii Hunter held the previous Twins' previous mark for most homers before May 1, hitting nine in 2002.
3. Houston RF Josh Reddick went 2-for-4 on Tuesday and is 13-for-25 over his last six contests.