Astros name Verlander Opening Day starter

Justin Verlander will make his second consecutive Opening Day start for the Houston Astros when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays on March 28, the team announced.

It will be Verlander's 11th Opening Day start of his 15-year career, and he will pitch opposite American League Cy Young winner Blake Snell.

Verlander finished second to Snell for the AL Cy Young in 2018 after going 16-9 with 290 strikeouts and a 2.52 ERA in 34 starts.

The 36-year-old right-hander has been terrific since joining the Astros in August 2017, fashioning a 21-9 record with a 2.32 ERA and 0.87 WHIP over 248 innings.

Verlander has also posted impressive postseason numbers since arriving in Houston, going 6-2 with 55 strikeouts in 54 innings.

He's eligible for free agency at the end of the campaign.