Astros at Athletics
Justin Verlander looks to become the third 16-game winner in the major leagues when the Houston Astros visit the Oakland Athletics on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. Verlander leads the American League in ERA (2.82) as he attempts to win his sixth straight decision.
The teams combined for an Oakland Coliseum-record 10 home runs - five by each club - in the series opener as the Athletics prevailed 7-6 to hand Houston its third straight loss. Matt Chapman belted two homers for the second straight game and Matt Olson also went deep twice as the Athletics pulled within 8 1/2 games of the AL West-leading Astros and trail Tampa Bay by 1 1/2 for the second wild card. "That was pretty cool. I've never seen the ball carry like that here," Chapman told reporters. "It was like we were playing in a normal park. That was a rarity. I've never seen this park play like that. Usually, it's pretty cold here and the ball doesn't travel, but that was nice." Michael Brantley and Carlos Correa each hit two homers for the Astros, who have allowed 20 runs over their last two contests.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Justin Verlander (15-4, 2.82 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Tanner Roark (7-8, 4.06)
Verlander has registered 10 or more strikeouts in five consecutive starts, and his total of 217 ranks third in the majors. The 36-year-old fanned 11 batters in five innings against Baltimore in his last turn but allowed four runs and nine hits in a no-decision. Verlander, who notched 11 strikeouts while giving up two hits and one unearned run over six innings to beat the Athletics on July 24, is 14-6 with a 2.52 ERA in 22 career starts versus Oakland but has struggled with Khris Davis (6-or-16, four homers).
Roark split his first two starts after being acquired from Cincinnati. The 32-year-old lost to the Chicago White Sox in his last turn as he gave up three runs - two earned - and six hits over 6 2/3 innings. Roark is 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA in two career starts against the Astros.
WALK-OFFS
1. Athletics OF Mark Canha (hand) sat out the series opener but could return on Friday.
2. Houston 1B Yuli Gurriel has gone 14-for-31 with five homers, 15 RBIs and 11 runs over his last eight games.
3. Oakland signed RHP Matt Harvey, who was released by the Los Angeles Angels on July 21, to a minor-league contract and have scheduled him to start for Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.