Matt Andriese (6-4, 3.36 ERA) and Cole Hamels (12-4, 2.88 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays (50-69) and the Texas Rangers (72-50) at Tropicana Field. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 19 and can be seen on FSSW and SUN.
Andriese pitched 5.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering six runs and striking out eight in an 8-4 defeat to the Yankees. Brad Miller (.265, 58 Rs, 25 HRs, 57 RBIs, 6 SBs) had another good game Wednesday, going 3 for 4 with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. Hamels went 7.0 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out five and walking three in a 2-0 defeat to the Tigers in his most recent start.
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Texas is 34-23, while Tampa Bay is 20-31.
The Rangers are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Rays have an 8-22 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 33-10. The Rangers have a 47-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 22nd in runs, Tampa Bay has earned 498 this season. Texas ranks seventh with 570 runs.
Ranking 16th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.736). Texas ranks in the top half at 13th with an OPS of .753.
The Rangers are 45-42 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Rays are 26-62 when they allow at least one homer.
