Doug Fister (12-11, 4.14 ERA) and Martin Perez (10-10, 4.25 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the Houston Astros (75-68) and the Texas Rangers (85-59) at Minute Maid Park. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Sep. 12 and can be seen on RTSW and FSSW.
Fister pitched 4.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering six runs, striking out two and walking three in a 6-5 defeat to the Indians. Jose Altuve (.340, 98 Rs, 23 HRs, 93 RBIs, 27 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. Perez went 6.0 innings, surrendering four runs (two unearned), striking out three and walking two in a 10-7 win over the Mariners in his most recent start. Adrian Beltre (.299, 82 Rs, 29 HRs, 96 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Rangers, going 3 for 4 yesterday with two runs, two home runs, two RBIs, and one stolen base.
Notes
In their last game, the Rangers lost by a margin of one run. The Astros are 25-22 in one-run games. The Rangers have a 31-10 record in close games.
The Astros managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Rangers who are coming in with a 30-11 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Astros are 12-57. The Rangers have a 20-45 record when opponents outhit them.
Houston ranks in the top half of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 181 this season. Texas ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 195.
Ranking 27th, Texas is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 391 this season. Houston ranks in the top five with 507.
The Astros are 65-41 when they hit at least one home run. The Rangers perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 71-41 record.
