August 11 American League probable pitching matchup capsules

What will Justin Verlander do for an encore? The reigning AL Cy Young and MVP dominated the Yankees last time out in one of the best starts of his career, which is saying something. Verlander faces another of MLB’s top offenses Saturday in Texas. Bet on Tigers-Rangers and every game at WagerWeb.com.

NY Yankees at Toronto – Yankees RHP Ivan Nova (10-6, 4.81) vs. Jays LHP Aaron Laffey (3-2, 4.39): Nova is trying to escape a funk that has seen him go 0-3 with a 8.36 ERA in his last five starts. He was bombed for seven runs and 11 hits by the Tigers last time out on Monday in Detroit, lacking his sharp slider. … Laffey surrendered four runs on six hits while striking out four during his last start against the A’s. It was enough to earn him his third win of the year and marked the fifth time in eight starts he has thrown at least six frames.

Boston at Cleveland – Red Sox LHP Franklin Morales (3-2, 3.14) vs. Indians RHP Zach McAllister (4-4, 3.60): Morales will make his second start since rejoining the rotation from the bullpen and his seventh start of the year. He allowed just one run on three hits over six frames in his last outing against Minnesota, while striking out four and walking three. … McAllister has been one of the Indians’ most consistent starters this season, but he failed to get out of the second inning in his last start against the Twins. He allowed nine runs (two earned) on six hits in 1 2/3 innings.

Kansas City at Baltimore – Royals RHP Luis Mendoza (5-8, 4.36) vs. Orioles RHP Chris Tillman (5-1, 2.38): A rough eighth inning against the White Sox spoiled another solid outing for Mendoza, who once again received little run support. Mendoza has a 3.61 ERA in his last six starts, but is only 2-4 in that span. … Despite a small decrease in his fastball velocity, Tillman used his changeup and curveball to cruise through 7 1/3 innings against the Mariners on Monday, yielding only one run on five hits and a walk.

Oakland at Chicago White Sox – A’s LHP Tommy Milone (9-9, 3.91) vs. White Sox LHP Francisco Liriano (3-10, 5.03): Milone was subpar for the third straight start, giving up six runs in six innings against a Toronto team that had been struggling offensively. The problem for the lefty, as in the two outings prior, was leaving too many pitches up in the zone. … Liriano departed after five innings and 72 pitches in his start against the Angels, after sustaining a right quad contusion when struck by a Maicer Izturis grounder. He should be fine to make his third White Sox start.

Tampa Bay at Minnesota – Rays LHP David Prcie (14-4, 2.49) vs. Twins RHP Nick Blackburn (4-7, 7.42): Price didn’t factor into the decision in a 1-0 loss to Baltimore on Sunday at Tropicana Field, but threw eight scoreless innings with five strikeouts, allowing only two hits and three walks. … Blackburn has been homer-prone this season, and it was again the case on Sunday against the Red Sox. The sinkerballer was hurt by a two-run homer from Adrian Gonzalez, and ended up giving up four runs on nine hits over five innings.

Detroit at Texas – Tigers RHP Justin Verlander (12-7, 2.51) vs. Rangers LHP Derek Holland (7-6, 5.18): On Monday, Verlander fanned 14 Yankees batters in eight innings and broke a two-game losing skid. The 14 K’s and 132 pitches both matched career highs. He’s 7-2 with a 2.10 ERA vs. Texas in his career and has never lost in Arlington. … Holland is 1-3 with a 7.00 ERA in his last four starts after allowing six runs in six innings against the Royals on Saturday. During those four games, he allowed nine home runs in 27 innings. Holland is 3-4 with a 6.19 ERA at home.

Seattle at LA Angels – Mariners RHP Hishashi Iwakuma (2-3, 4.20) vs. Angels RHP Dan Haren (8-8, 4.44): The 31-year-old from Japan is 1-2 with a 3.71 ERA in six starts since moving into the rotation. He’s improved steadily since moving out of a relief role, but lost to the Yankees in his last outing after giving up 4 runs (3 earned) in five innings. … Haren’s been consistent recently, throwing six innings in each of his last three starts despite missing one outing due to back stiffness. His back his better now, and the right-hander allowed one run his last time out against the White Sox.

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