Dallas Keuchel (2-5, 5.43 ERA) and the Houston Astros (17-27) go up against Cole Hamels (4-0, 3.10 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (24-19) in the last of a three-game division series at Minute Maid Park. The Rangers won the last game 2-1, and Texas leads the series 2-0. The game gets underway at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 22 and will air on RTSW and FSSW.
In his last start, Keuchel pitched 6.1 innings, giving up three runs, striking out five and walking three in a 6-5 victory over the White Sox. George Springer (.259, 27 Rs, 9 HRs, 25 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. The Rangers were unsuccessful against the Athletics 8-5 the last time Hamels pitched. He went 6.2 innings, allowing four runs (one unearned), striking out six and walking two. Rougned Odor (.274, 28 Rs, 7 HRs, 22 RBIs, 5 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Notes
The Rangers won their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Astros are 5-10. The Rangers are 9-3 in close games this season.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Astros are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Rangers have an 8-0 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
It looks like the Rangers have a slight leg up on the Astros, as the Rangers have won their last two games while the Astros have lost their last three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Astros are 11-4. The Rangers have a 14-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 17th in runs, Houston has earned 180 this season. Texas ranks 10th with 190 runs.
Houston and Texas both rank in the bottom half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Houston sits at 17th with an OPS of .720, and Texas ranks 19th with an OPS of .718.
When the Rangers allow at least one home run, they are 14-17. When the Astros allow one or more homers, they have an 11-19 record.
