In the second of a four-game series between the Texas Rangers (35-22) and the Houston Astros (28-31) at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Cole Hamels (5-1, 3.39 ERA) and Dallas Keuchel (3-7, 5.50 ERA) take the mound. The Rangers won the last game 6-5, and Texas leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 8:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jun. 7 and will air on RTSW and FSSW.
In his most recent outing, Hamels pitched 7.0 innings, giving up three runs, striking out five and walking three in a 5-4 loss to the Indians. Nomar Mazara (.319, 27 Rs, 10 HRs, 27 RBIs) played well again yesterday, going 4 for 4 with two runs. The Astros were also unsuccessful the last time Keuchel pitched. He went 6.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out six and walking one in a 3-0 loss to the Diamondbacks. Jose Altuve (.336, 45 Rs, 10 HRs, 34 RBIs, 17 SBs) has been hitting the ball well for the Astros, going 3 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, three RBIs, and one stolen base.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. The Rangers have a SU record of 9-13 against teams in their division. The Rangers come into the game with the AL’s third-ranked home scoring offense, averaging 5.4 runs per game in their own ballpark. Texas’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average. An area where the Rangers are particularly strong at home is striking batters out, where they average an AL-best 6.9 K’s per home game.
Against divisional opponents, the Astros are 18-10 SU. During the last 10 games, they averaged 0.0 runs per game, above their 0.0 season average. Houston is one of the top hitting teams in the league with 189 extra base hits. Houston is a terror on the base paths, with an MLB-best 49 stolen bases. The last 10 games have really brought the best out of the Houston pitchers. They’ve allowed 0.0 runs per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 0.0.
The Rangers are a perfect 7-0 against the Astros this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – TEX
Notes
The Astros lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Rangers are 11-4. The Astros are 9-11 in close games this season.
When leading after seven innings, Texas is 17-9, while Houston is 9-14.
The Astros are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Rangers have a 13-6 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Astros are 19-4. The Rangers have a 22-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 13th, Houston sits in the top half of the league in runs, scoring 256 this season. Texas ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 276.
Ranking 25th, Texas is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 148 this season. Houston ranks in the top five at third with 223.
When the Rangers hit at least one home run, they are 27-13. When the Astros hit at least one homer, they have a 24-21 record.
