The Lone Star Series continues Monday as the Texas Rangers (58-75) take on the Houston Astros (86-48). The Astros will host this one at Minute Maid Park, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm ET.
The Rangers come into this one having been swept in a four-game series over the weekend by the Boston Red Sox. On Sunday, they lost the finale 5-2. Dane Dunning took the loss as he allowed five runs in four innings of work.
Offensively, the Rangers had just four hits. Leody Taveras had two of the Rangers’ hits, while Nate Lowe and Adolis Garcia had one apiece.
The Astros had more success over the weekend as they took two of three from the Los Angeles Angels. They won 9-1 on Sunday behind seven scoreless innings from starter Jose Urquidy. He allowed just four hits and struck out eight.
Kyle Tucker and Jose Altuve both hit their 23rd home runs of the season. Altuve went three for four with three runs batted in.
The Astros are the favorites playing at home Monday. They are -166 to win, while the Rangers’ moneyline sits at +140. The runline features Texas +1.5 (-154), and the over/under for total runs is eight.
Rangers Trying To Snap Losing Streak
At 58-75, it has been a rough season for the Rangers to this point. Having lost eight straight games coming into this one, they are desperately looking to get back into the win column.
Taking the mound for Texas in the opener will be southpaw Martin Perez. The 31-year-old is 10-5 in 26 games. He has a 2.89 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and he has 144 strikeouts in 159 innings.
Perez took a loss in his last game against Houston as he allowed five runs in five innings. He comes into this one having lost two of his last three.
This will be the Rangers first time seeing the Astros’ Hunter Brown, but against righties, Corey Seager has been one of the Rangers’ best hitters. In 349 at bats versus righties, he is hitting .255/.339/.453 with 18 home runs and 46 runs batted in.
Astros Preparing For World Series Run
Currently leading the Yankees by six games for the best record in the American League, the Houston Astros are sitting pretty for the top seed in the playoffs. With a double-digit lead in the division, Houston is getting things in line for what they hope is a long postseason run.
Manager Dusty Baker will be turning to the Astros’ top prospect, Hunter Brown, in Monday’s game. This will be his major league debut after going 9-4 with a 2.55 ERA in the minors this year.
The Astros have a number of hitters who have performed well against the Rangers’ Martin Perez. Jose Altuve (.302 in 53 at bats, 7 RBI), Martin Maldonado (.500 in 18 at bats, 4 RBI), Trey Mancini (.368 in 19 at bats, 2 RBI), and Kyle Tucker (.455 in 11 at bats, 3 RBI) have all had success against the southpaw.
Against lefties this season, Jose Altuve has been the Astro’s best hitter. In 117 at-bats versus southpaws, he is hitting .333/.414/.701 with ten home runs and 21 runs batted in.
Take Astros To Win At Home
Anytime that a pitcher makes his MLB debut, you are never quite certain what you are going to get. Hunter Brown isn’t most pitchers, though, as he would have already been called up on most teams, but the Astros’ extreme starting pitcher depth has not necessitated that need until Monday.
All of the trends still suggest the Astros in this one. The Rangers are winless in their last eight games, and they are 2-15 in their last 17 at Minute Maid Park.
Furthermore, Houston has gone 8-2 in their last ten games at home, and they are 5-1 in their last six games overall.
Take Houston to win this one at home (-166).
