The Houston Astros will play host to the cellar-dwelling Texas Rangers for a three-game series. It’s an opportunity for the Astros to feed on a division’s weakling and improve their record. But can the Rangers spoil those dreams by Houston? This is also the Rangers’ first road series for the second half of the season.
Gallardo will look to build on his fantastic performance in his last start where he pitched six scoreless innings and allowed just three hits in a 5-0 home win over Cleveland on July 22. He is 2-1 with a 4.96 ERA in three starts this month. Keuchel continues to toss gems on the mound. He is 4-0 with a 1.30 ERA over his last four starts. Keuchel is also 3-4 with a 4.06 ERA in 10 home starts this season.
Hamels was rocked in his last start, surrendering seven earned runs on nine hits in 5.0 innings of a 15-3 home loss to Oakland. The last time he met Houston, Hamels was tagged with five earned runs seven hits in 7.1 innings of 5-2 home loss on June 7. He is 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA in four starts against the defending World Series champs this season. Verlander will pitch coming off a week of rest. He held the Angeles scoreless in six inning of a 7-0 road win on July 21. He is 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA in his last three starts.
Hitting:
Evan Gattis is 12-for-34 with four home runs vs. Hamels.
Elvis Andrus is 15-for-44 vs. Verlander.
Writer’s Prediction:
Houston wins, 5-3.
Game 3: Sunday, July 29, 2:10PM ET
Starters: Mike Minor (6-6, 4.89 ERA) vs. Lane McCullers Jr. (10-5, 4.01 ERA)
Pitching:
Minor eyes to get his first win this July when he gets his last chance to do so this Sunday in Houston. In his last start, he didn’t get a decision, but allowed just two earned runs on four hits in five innings of a 13-1- loss at home against Oakland. He is 2-4 with a 7.04 ERA in eight road starts. McCullers has struggled in his last two starts after a string of strong starts. He has allowed 11 earned runs on 10 hits in 8.1 innings over his last two outings. Prior to that, however, he went 4-0 with a 2.60 ERA in seven starts.
Hitting:
Yuli Gurriel is 6-for-10 vs. Minor.
Elvis Andrus is 8-for-14 with a home run vs. McCullers.
Writer’s Prediction:
Texas wins, 5-4.
Writer’s Overall Series Prediction
The Rangers manage to wrangle one away from the home team in this three game series.
