The Houston Astros (71-64) have certainly run into the red-hot Texas Rangers at the wrong time. They just swept the lowly Oakland A’s in three games before being humbled by the AL East leaders these past couple of games, none worse than the 12-4 drubbing that was dealt to them on Saturday.
The Astros must regain their momentum as they continue to make a late push for the playoffs, being just three games behind the final spot in the American League Wild Card race. They certainly have the bats to do so, even with MVP candidate Jose Altuve (right hamstring problems) likely to sit Sunday’s three-game series finale out.
A couple of stunning Houston infielders are torching opposing pitchers as of the moment and can send their team to the postseason just in time. Rookie third-baseman Alex Bregman has 12 hits and nine RBIs in his last 10 games, while standout shortstop Carlos Correa has racked up 12 total hits during his on-going nine-game hit streak.
However, all that offense might be for naught if Sunday’s starter, Collin McHugh (9-10, 4.80 ERA), doesn’t live up to his end of the bargain. McHugh’s not in great shape lately, having gone 2-2 with a 5.15 ERA in his last nine starts and with opposing batters having hit .321 against him during that span. He also allowed four runs on seven his in just 3.2 innings of work in his last start against the Rangers on June 9.
There appears to be no slowing down the Texas Rangers (82-54) from running away with the AL West title and a playoff berth this season. They currently have the best record in the American League while sporting a smashing seven-win streak as we speak. Even better, Texas also has a seven-game winning streak at home (16-4 in their last 20 in Arlington at that), with six of those seven victories wherein the team scored no less that six runs per contest.
Don’t expect the Rangers, who are currently ranked seventh in the majors in batting average (.264) and runs scored (645), to slow down whatsoever. Look for shortstop Elvis Andrus to lead the offensive attack against the Astros this Sunday once more. Andrus has gone 3-for-7 with a pair of RBIs over the first two games of this series, and he’ll definitely relish having to face Houston’s McHugh as well, as he has hit .400 in 16 at-bats against the four-year righty.
Furthermore, Texas is also fortunate to have Japanese sensation Yu Darvish (5-3, 3.01 ERA) close out the series this Sunday. Darvish has kept the Astros in check during his short career in the MLB, posting a 4-3 record and a dazzling 3.08 ERA to go with 102 strikeouts in 11-career starts against the Rangers’ interstate rivals.
Writer’s Prediction
The unstoppable Rangers (-175) extend their win streak to eight games with a sound 7-4 victory on Sunday and complete the three-game series sweep of the Astros.
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