Yu Darvish (2-0, 3.38 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (36-22) meet Doug Fister (5-3, 3.51 ERA) and the Houston Astros (28-32) in the third of a four-game division series at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won the last game 4-3, extending a five-game winning streak. The game gets underway at 8:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jun. 8 and will air on RTSW and FSSW.
In his most recent outing, Darvish pitched 5.2 innings, allowing three runs, striking out five and walking one in a 7-3 victory over the Mariners. Ian Desmond (.310, 43 Rs, 8 HRs, 37 RBIs, 11 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. The Astros were also victorious the last time Fister pitched. He pitched well, going 6.0 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out three and walking two in a 12-2 victory over the Athletics.
Notes
The Astros lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Rangers are 12-4. The Astros are 9-12 in close games this season.
The Rangers managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Astros who are coming in with a 7-5 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the Rangers have a slight leg up on the Astros, as the Rangers have won their last five games while the Astros have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Astros are 19-4. The Rangers have a 23-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 13th in runs, Houston has earned 259 this season. Texas ranks seventh with 280 runs.
Texas and Houston both rank in the top half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Texas sits at 11th with an OPS of .745, and Houston ranks 15th with an OPS of .727.
When the Astros allow at least one home run, they are 19-23. When the Rangers allow one or more homers, they have a 23-20 record.
