A look at what’s happening all around the major leagues Wednesday:
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AN EVEN DOZEN
Pittsburgh’s Gerrit Cole goes for the 12th win of the season on Wednesday night when the Pirates host Cincinnati. Cole (11-3, 1.78 ERA) is 4-0 with a 1.00 ERA in June and has won six straight starts, including a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox last week. The 24-year-old Cole will try to become the first Pittsburgh pitcher since Ken Brett in 1974 to reach 12 wins before the All-Star break.
HAMILTON SWINGING
Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton is set to start a rehab assignment, as the designated hitter for Double-A Frisco before joining Triple-A Round Rock in New Orleans on Thursday. He hasn’t played since he strained his left hamstring on his game-ending two-run double in a 4-3 win over Boston on May 31, which wrapped up his first week back with Texas.
THIRD TIME
Tigers ace Justin Verlander hopes three is his magic number. He’s pitched to a 6.17 ERA in his first two starts of the season after coming off the disabled list and faces Carlos Carrasco and the Indians in his third attempt at getting on track. The 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner was encouraged by his start Friday against the Yankees even though he gave up six runs in 6 2-3 innings.
LONG WAIT, BRIEF ABSENCE
Ivan Nova returns to the mound nearly 14 months after Tommy John surgery, providing a potential boost to the New York Yankees’ rotation. The right-hander is 40-22 with a 4.20 ERA in five major league seasons. He made three rehab starts in the minors. Nova will face Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels, who missed his previous turn Friday with a strained right hamstring.
WELCOME HOME
Mike Bolsinger makes his first start of his career against the Cubs, in Chicago, where he was born. The right-hander is winless in four outings away from Dodger Stadium but is 4-2 overall in nine starts.
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