ON DECK: TEXAS RANGERS AT ASTROS

When/where: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:10 p.m., Thursday at 1:10 p.m.; Minute Maid Park.

TV/radio: ATTSW and BSSW on Tuesday and Wednesday, YouTube on Thursday; 790 AM, 93.3 FM (Spanish) and 1010 AM (Spanish) all three games, 740 AM on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Pitchers: Tuesday, RHP José Urquidy (10-4, 3.62) vs. LHP Martín Pérez (9-2, 2.47); Wednesday, RHP Justin Verlander (15-3, 1.73) vs. RHP Glenn Otto (4-8, 5.31); Thursday, LHP Framber Valdez (10-4, 2.87) vs. LHP Cole Ragans (0-0, 0.00).

Astros (70-40) update: Houston, which sits a half-game behind the Yankees in the race for the American League’s best record, is 8-3 against the Rangers this year and can clinch the Silver Boot with two more wins. … Verlander is the fourth MLB pitcher since 1969 to post 15 wins and a sub-2.00 ERA in his first 20 starts of a season. The others: Roger Clemens (15-3, 1.62 with the 1997 Blue Jays), Gaylord Perry (15-2 1.40 with the 1974 Indians) and Vida Blue (16-3 1.53 with the 1971 Athletics). … Framber Valdez’s streak of 18 consecutive quality starts is the longest in the majors since the Mets’ Jacob deGrom made 26 in a row from May 18, 2018-April 3, 2019. Valdez’s streak ranks second in Astros history, trailing only a 20-game run posted by Mike Scott in 1986. … Kyle Tucker pinch-hit Sunday after not playing the previous three games because of illness. In 15 games since the All-Star break, he is slashing just .173/.246/.288 with one home run and five RBIs. Rangers (48-60) update: After a 2-5 homestand, Texas is a season-worst 12 games under .500. … First baseman Nathaniel Lowe has reached base in 14 consecutive games and on Sunday hit a 452-foot home run, longest by a Ranger this year. Over his last 30 games, Lowe is slashing .302/.347/.517. … Corey Seager leads all major league shortstops with 24 home runs. … All 15 of Marcus Semien’s home runs have come since May 28. … Outfielder Adolis Garcia is tied for 10th in the majors with 70 RBIs.