Astros at Indians
The Houston Astros look to get another strong performance from a starting pitcher as Jose Urquidy takes the mound in the second contest of a three-game set against the host Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night. Justin Verlander tossed seven scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts in Tuesday’s 2-0 series-opening victory as Houston starting pitchers improved to 10-0 with a 1.30 ERA over the last 12 contests.
Red-hot Yuli Gurriel extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a single Tuesday and is batting .404 with 12 homers and 28 RBIs this month while teammate Jose Altuve is 8-for-12 with a blast and three runs knocked in the last three games for the Astros. Urquidy, who has shown plenty of promise in his last two trips the mound, will be opposed by fellow right-hander Zach Plesac in a battle of 24-year-old rookies Wednesday. Cleveland’s rotation will be in flux over the next few weeks with three starters potentially on the way back from injuries and illness while Trevor Bauer was dealt to Cincinnati on Tuesday in a three-way deal for slugging outfielders Yasiel Puig from the Reds and Franmil Reyes of the Padres along with Padres pitcher Logan Allen and a pair of minor leaguers. The Indians lost their second straight contest Tuesday after starting the month 17-4 and trail first-place Minnesota by three games in the American League Central after managing only singles from Roberto Perez and Greg Allen while striking out 15 times.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Jose Urquidy (1-0, 4.26 ERA) vs. Indians RH Zach Plesac (5-3, 3.10)
Urquidy looks to record his third straight quality start after allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 13 combined innings in the last two. The Mexico native, who struck out 15 total in his past two outings at St. Louis and against Texas, completed only six frames combined in the first two of his four big league starts. Urquidy faces Cleveland for the first time after going 5-4 with a 4.08 ERA in the minors before his recall.
Plesac has been outstanding in his last three trips to the mound, permitting a total of three runs (two earned) on 10 hits over 16 innings with 11 strikeouts and five walks. The Ball State product earned wins in his last two games - both against Kansas City - after pitching three hitless innings before a rain delay ended his outing July 16 versus Detroit. Plesac is 3-1 with a 2.86 ERA in five home starts at Progressive Field.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland 3B Jose Ramirez saw his streak of four straight games with a homer end Tuesday, but is batting .333 this month with 25 RBIs.
2. Houston C Robinson Chirinos belted his ninth career homer against the Indians on Tuesday, second-most against any team in the majors (Oakland, 11).
3. Astros OF Jake Marisnick will sit out the second contest of a two-game suspension Wednesday for an illegal collision at home plate.