Rays seek playoff clincher in opener at Houston

The Houston Astros will try again Friday to wrap up the best record in the American League.

The Tampa Bay Rays, who open a three-game series at Houston on Friday, will make another attempt at clinching a playoff berth.

The Astros were off on Thursday after wasting an exceptional performance from ace right-hander Justin Verlander in a 5-2, 10-inning loss to the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

With six games