In the last of a three-game series between the Texas Rangers (67-61) and the Baltimore Orioles (63-66) at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Derek Holland (1-1, 4.72 ERA) and Miguel Gonzalez (9-10, 4.78 ERA) get the ball. The Rangers won the last game 4-3 and Texas leads the series 2-0. The game starts at 3:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 30 and will air on MAS2 and FSSW.
In his most recent outing, Holland pitched 6.0 innings, allowing four runs, striking out three and walking one in a 6-5 loss to the Blue Jays. Rougned Odor (.280, 38 Rs, 11 HRs, 43 RBIs, 5 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 3 with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs. The Orioles were unsuccessful to the Royals 3-2 the last time Gonzalez pitched. He went 4.1 innings, allowing three runs, striking out one and walking three. Chris Davis (.251, 73 Rs, 35 HRs, 92 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Texas is a -125 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at nine runs. The Rangers are 14-12 as the favorite and have an overall money line of +2,137. They are 6-4 SU and perfect as the favorite (3-0) in their last 10 games. They have been very patient at the plate during home games, ranking fourth in the AL with an average of 3.1 walks per game. Texas’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 3.4 during that span, compared to its 4.7 season average.
On the other side, the Orioles have a record of 23-34 when they are the underdog and are -708 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 2-8 SU and have played poorly as the underdog with a 1-4 record. During the last 10 games, they averaged 3.2 runs per game, below their 4.4 season average. Baltimore’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 5.5 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 4.0.
The Rangers have gotten the best of the Orioles in head-to-head matchups this season, going 5-1. The Rangers will take on a right-hander (Gonzalez) in this game and have a 43-37 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Holland will take the mound against the Orioles, who have a 17-14 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tex, O/U – Over
Notes
Texas has won 45% (25-30) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Baltimore has won 56% (24-19) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Orioles are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded four strikeouts. The Rangers have a record of 11-2 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Orioles are 10-47. The Rangers have a 15-46 record when opponents outhit them.
Texas ranks in the top 10 of the league at ninth when it comes to home runs, hitting 135 this season. Baltimore ranks in the top five at third with 169.
Ranking ninth, Baltimore is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.58 per game. Texas ranks in the top five at fifth with 8.74.
Ranking 11th, Baltimore is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.731). Texas ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .734.
The Orioles are 36-47 when they allow at least one home run. The Rangers perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 34-47 record.
