Derek Holland (2-0, 1.46 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (2-2) meet Collin McHugh (11-9, 2.73 ERA) and the Houston Astros (1-2) in the first of a three-game division series at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The game starts at 4:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 10 and will air on ROOT-SW and FSN-SW.
Holland is 3-1 with a 3.52 ERA, 36 strikeouts and 12 walks against the Astros in his career. Shin-Soo Choo (.250 ) kept up his strong start yesterday, going 2 for 5 with two runs, one home run, and three RBIs. In his pitching opportunities against the Rangers, McHugh is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA, six strikeouts and zero walks. Jed Lowrie (.333 ) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Texas is a -120 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs.
Houston is a terror on the base paths, ranking third in the MLB with four stolen bases. Switching gears to Houston’s pitching staff, they have the second-lowest ERA in the AL at 1.00. They also average just 5.0 hits allowed per game, fifth-best in the AL.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
Having scored one run in their last game, the Astros are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Rangers have a 2-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
Houston ranks near the bottom of the league at 21st when it comes to home runs, hitting one this season. Texas ranks in the top five at fifth with four.
Texas and Houston both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Texas sits at 14th with 4.00 hits per game and Houston ranks 15th with 3.50.
Texas and Houston both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Texas sits at 22nd with an OPS of .546 and Houston ranks 29th with an OPS of .353.
When the Astros allow at least one home run, they are 0-2, well-matched with the Rangers who are 0-1 when allowing at least one homer.
