On Thursday, the Houston Astros open a four-game series on the road against American League West rivals the Texas Rangers.
The Astros have lost three straight after falling to Seattle 6-1 on Tuesday. The loss left the Astros in second place two games behind the Mariners in the division. Houston’s Dallas Keuchel gave up three homers earlier in the game and Astro’s hitters were held in check by Mariners starter James Paxton.
Texas was victorious on Tuesday beating the Oakland Athletics 7-4 as Adrian Beltre belted a tie-breaking home run leading off the eighth inning. The Rangers had five home runs in the game against Oakland pitching.
Jose Altuve leads the Astros with a .332 batting average and a team high 84 hits. George Springer leads the Astros home runs with 13 and Carlos Correa in RBIs with 39. Houston has a team batting average of .256 while opposing hitters are averaging .208 at the plate against Astros pitching. On Thursday, the Astros will send Gerrit Cole to the mound. The right-hander this season is 6-1 with an ERA of 2.20, 116 Ks and20 BBs.
Nomar Mazara leads the Rangers with a .269 batting average and team highs in hits with 63 and RBIS with 39. Joey Gallo leads the team in home runs with 16. Texas has a team batting average of .228 while opposing hitters are averaging .270 at the plate against Rangers pitching. On Thursday, the Rangers will start Cole Hamels on the mound. The lefthander this season is 3-5 with an ERA Of 3.62, 74 Ks and 27 BBs.
