Martin Perez (1-3, 5.30 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (66-61) meet Ubaldo Jimenez (9-8, 4.26 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles (63-65) in the second of a three-game series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The Rangers won the last game 4-1 and Texas leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 8:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 29 and will air on MAS2, FSSW and MLBN.
In his last start, Perez pitched 5.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out four and walking three in a 4-0 loss to the Tigers. Rougned Odor (.280, 38 Rs, 11 HRs, 43 RBIs, 5 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 3 with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs. The Orioles were unsuccessful to the Royals 8-3 the last time Jimenez pitched. He went 5.2 innings, giving up seven runs, striking out three and walking one.
Texas is a small -110 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is nine runs. When playing as the favorite, the Rangers have a 13-12 record and overall money line at +2,037. They are 6-4 SU and perfect as the favorite (3-0) in their last 10 games. They have been very patient at the plate during home games, ranking fourth in the AL with an average of 3.2 walks per game.
Moving on to the away team, the Orioles come into this game with a win percentage of .411 when playing as the underdog (23-33) and an overall money line of -608. They have played poorly as the underdog as of late. They managed a 1-3 record when playing as the underdog and an SU record of 2-8. Baltimore’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 5.6 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 4.0.
The Rangers are 4-1 against the Orioles this season. This game will feature Jimenez (RHP) on the mound against the Rangers, who have a 42-37 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Orioles will be the left-hander Perez. They sport a 17-13 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tex, O/U – Over
Notes
The Rangers managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Orioles who are coming in with an 18-15 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the Rangers have a slight leg up on the Orioles, as the Rangers have won their last two games while the Orioles have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Orioles are 46-13. The Rangers have a 49-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking eighth in runs, Baltimore has earned 561 this season. Texas ranks fifth with 565 runs.
Ranking 25th, Baltimore is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 309 this season. Texas ranks in the top half at 13th with 363.
When the Rangers hit at least one home run, they are 50-26, well-matched with the Orioles who are 56-34 when hitting one or more homers.
