Rangers at Astros
The slumping Texas Rangers attempt to halt their four-game losing streak when they host the Houston Astros on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. The funk has led to a rise in trade speculation, which has become highly irritating to All-Stars Mike Minor and Hunter Pence.
Minor lashed out about his name being mentioned while Pence is lobbying for no one to be dealt with the team just 4 1/2 games out of the American League's second wild-card spot. "We're all excited and feel good about who we have," Pence told reporters. "We have a great collection of talent and we are just staying dialed in to prepare for the game. That keeps me happy. Anytime I get caught up in what's going to happen in the future, it stresses you out and is not good for you." Astros ace Justin Verlander is 3-0 with a 2.63 ERA in four starts against Texas this season and will look to help his club build on its 5 1/2-game lead over Oakland in the AL West. George Springer hit four homers during a four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels, including one in Thursday's 6-2 road victory.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Mike Minor (8-4, 2.73 ERA) vs. Astros RH Justin Verlander (11-4, 2.98)
Minor is enjoying the best season of his career as he is in the second year of a three-year, $28 million deal and feels comfortable with the Rangers. "I don't want to go anywhere," the 31-year-old told reporters. "My name was talked about in the offseason, so I'm used to it. It seems like ever since I signed, I've been a topic. It's like I signed here just to be traded." Minor is 3-3 with a 4.48 ERA in 14 career games (11 starts) versus Houston after giving up four runs and seven hits over five innings in a no-decision on Saturday.
Verlander defeated the Rangers on Sunday, when he gave up two runs and four hits over six innings. The 36-year-old is holding Texas batters to a collective .167 average this season and often has stymied the club while going 16-8 with a 2.79 ERA in 29 career starts. Verlander, who will be trying to move into a tie for the major-league lead in victories, is just 3-2 in eight turns at home despite posting a 2.95 ERA and 0.80 WHIP.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Astros hold an 8-6 advantage in the season series with the Rangers.
2. Texas has been outscored 47-16 during its four-game slide, with Houston registering 19 of those runs during the first two contests of the skid.
3. Houston 3B-SS Alex Bregman reached base four times on two hits - including a home run - and two walks on Thursday.