Tampa Bay @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 18, 2018 ) Tampa Bay 4, Houston 5

Justin Verlander attempts to pitch his team to a franchise-record 13th consecutive victory when the Houston Astros host the Tampa Bay Rays in the middle contest of their three-game set on Tuesday. Houston kept alive its streak when Alex Bregman delivered a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 5-4 victory in the series opener.

Promising Tampa Bay starter Blake Snell will oppose Verlander after giving up just three earned runs while going 4-0 during a five-start stretch before falling to the New York Yankees in his last turn. Verlander has won his last five decisions and is a spectacular 14-2 in 20 regular-season starts since joining the Astros late last season. Tampa Bay will activate Kevin Kiermaier (thumb) prior to Tuesday's game after the center fielder missed more than two months, and the media quizzed him about having to face Verlander in his first action. "Hey, you face the best, and he's having a great year," Kiermaier told reporters. "I knew what I was getting myself into, and I didn't want to wait until Friday, to be honest. I feel like I'm fully capable right now. So I'm glad they flew me to Houston."

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Blake Snell (8-4, 2.58 ERA) vs. Astros RH Justin Verlander (9-2, 1.61)

Snell has allowed fewer than three runs in 12 of his 15 starts, but he wasn't in top form against the Yankees as he yielded four runs and five hits over five innings. The 25-year-old did strike out eight batters to mark the seventh time he has fanned eight or more in a game this season. Snell is 0-1 with a 7.50 ERA in three career starts against the Astros, yielding 19 hits - including four homers - in 12 innings, and has struggled with Jose Altuve (3-for-7, two homers), Bregman (3-for-6, homer) and Evan Gattis (3-for-5, homer).

Verlander allowed three runs in each of his last two outings - both victories - and has served up three homers during the stretch. The 35-year-old is limiting batters to a .160 average and owns a major league-best 0.76 WHIP while moving within three victories of 200 for his career. Verlander is 8-3 with a 3.29 ERA in 16 career starts against the Rays and has shut down Carlos Gomez (2-for-17).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Astros also won 12 straight games in the 1999 and 2004 seasons.

2. Tampa Bay RHP Chris Archer (abdomen) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday and will make at least two rehab starts before returning to the rotation.

3. Gattis earned American League Player of the Week honors after going 10-for-24 with four homers and 15 RBIs in six games.

PREDICTION: Astros 3, Rays 1