Yu Darvish (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and Juan Nicasio (4-3, 4.46 ERA) take the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Texas Rangers (27-21) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (28-19) at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Pirates won the last game 9-1, continuing a five-game winning streak. Action begins at 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 28 and can be seen on FOX.
This is the first start for Darvish this season. Nomar Mazara (.325, 21 Rs, 8 HRs, 21 RBIs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4. Nicasio went 5.0 innings, surrendering five runs (two unearned), striking out six and walking two in a 12-9 win over the Braves in his last outing. Andrew McCutchen (.258, 33 Rs, 9 HRs, 22 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 5 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs.
The odds for Texas and Pittsburgh are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. Against the NL, the Rangers have a 26-16 record SU. The Rangers have no trouble scoring as they rank fourth in the AL in home offense with 5.3 runs per game. Texas is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 32 bases. Texas’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Rangers, who lead the AL in strikeouts per game with 7.0.
Pittsburgh is 27-20 SU against teams in the AL. Offensively, they average 0.0 runs per game, which is good for fourth in the NL. The Pirates capitalize on their at-bats at a high percentage, ranking .286 in the league with a .286 team batting average. The Pirates are an excellent base stealing team with 33 stolen bases, ranking fourth in the MLB. The Pirates allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. The Pirates have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an NL-best 7.3 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Pirates have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – PIT
Notes
Having scored one run in their last game, the Rangers are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Pirates have an 11-0 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
When they are outhit, the Pirates are 4-12. The Rangers have a 9-16 record when opponents outhit them.
Both Texas and Pittsburgh are tied at 19th in home runs, hitting 47 this season.
Ranking 11th, Texas is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.79 per game. Pittsburgh ranks in the top five at second with 10.06.
Ranking 15th, Texas is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.727). Pittsburgh ranks in the top five at second with an OPS of .803.
When the Pirates allow at least one home run, they are 16-16. When the Rangers allow one or more homers, they have a 16-19 record.
