Lucas Harrell (3-2, 3.46 ERA) and Chad Bettis (10-6, 5.13 ERA) are on the hill in the second of a two-game series between the Texas Rangers (68-47) and the Colorado Rockies (55-59) at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won the last game 5-4, continuing a five-game winning streak. Action begins at 2:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 11 and can be seen on FSSW.
Harrell pitched 3.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering one run, striking out five and walking five in a 3-2 win over the Astros. Carlos Beltran (.304, 51 Rs, 23 HRs, 68 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Bettis went 6.0 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out three and walking two in a 12-6 win over the Marlins in his last outing. Trevor Story (.272, 67 Rs, 27 HRs, 72 RBIs, 8 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one RBI.
Texas is a -147 favorite against Colorado and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at 10 runs. The Rangers have recorded an overall money line of +2,565 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 28-16. Texas is an impressive 4-1 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Rangers have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 3.4 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.7 runs per game. Texas’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 3.3 runs per game, well under their season average of 4.6.
In games where it is the underdog, Colorado has a 30-39 record and an overall money line of +145. Colorado has put in a lackluster performance against American League opponents, coming in with a subpar record SU ({betdsi.at.al.su_record}) and as the underdog (5-8). Offensively, they average 5.2 runs per game, which the best in the NL. The Rockies have a dynamic offense, ranking third in the league with 393 extra base hits. The Rockies allow 5.0 runs per game, but does worse whenever an AL opponent is on the schedule. They bring that runs allowed average up to 6.3 against teams from the AL.
The Rangers have the edge in the season series, 3-0. The Rangers have a 51-32 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Bettis takes the mound. Harrell (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rockies, who have a 41-40 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TEX, O/U – Over
Notes
For the 14th time this season, the Rangers registered at least two errors in a game.
The Rangers managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Rockies who are coming in with a 23-20 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the Rangers have a slight leg up on the Rockies, as the Rangers have won their last five games while the Rockies have lost their last four.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rockies are 42-11. The Rangers have a 44-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking seventh, Texas is in the top 10 of the league in runs, scoring 537 this season. Colorado ranks in the top five at second with 591.
Ranking 27th, Texas is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 297 this season. Colorado ranks in the top 10 with 364.
The Rangers are 56-32 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Rockies are 42-29 when they hit at least one homer.
