Astros' Verlander to make 12th career Opening Day start

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker announced Wednesday that reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander will make his 12th career Opening Day start, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.

Verlander will tie Hall of Famers Bert Blyleven and Pete Alexander for the eighth-most Opening Day starts in the modern era when he takes the mound July 24 against the Seattle Mariners, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com. Tom Seaver holds the all-time record with 16.

It will also mark Verlander's fifth consecutive Opening Day start and third straight as a member of the Astros. He started in nine season openers for the Detroit Tigers before joining Houston late in 2017.

The 37-year-old is coming off one of the finest seasons of his career. He edged out now-former teammate Gerrit Cole to win his second Cy Young after going 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA, a 0.80 WHIP, and 300 strikeouts in 34 starts in 2019. Verlander also threw his third no-hitter last September.

Baker added that Lance McCullers Jr. is likely to start the Astros' second game, according to Greg Bailey of KTRK.