Houston Astros Face Rival Rangers With Significant Advantages
The Houston Astros are gearing up for the most important series of their young season against the Texas Rangers that begins on Friday night. With new scheduling changes, there are less divisional games this season, which makes the ones they do have that much more important.
For the first time in six years, the Silver Boot series should once again be exciting as the Rangers have a revamped rotation and have performed well this season. The Astros meanwhile have the highest expectations of any team in baseball.
While this series should be exciting to watch, Houston does come in with some significant advantages.
The first is the rotation. Here is how the matchups look for the series:
Friday: Martin Perez (1-1, 2.53) vs. Luis Garcia (0-1, 7.00)
Saturday: Jon Gray (1-1, 3.00) vs. Hunter Brown (1-0, 3.09)
Sunday: Andrew Heaney (1-1, 8.22) vs. Framber Valdez (1-1, 1.89)
The only clear disadvantage the Astros have on the weekend is Friday night. Perez was the ace of the rotation last season and Garcia has struggled mightily this season.
Gray is prone to walks, something the Astros offense can take full advantage of. Brown looked good in his last start and should continue to see an increase in production on the mound.
Heaney had a great start his last time out when he tied the American League record for most consecutive strikeouts in a single game. However, his first start was an implosion. Feast or famine.
Ace Framber Valdez needs little introduction.
As far as the offense is concerned, Texas will be without shortstop Corey Seager after a hamstring strain. He was the heart and soul of their lineup. That should help Houston's rotation.
Meanwhile, the Astros offense has been heating up. Third baseman Alex Bregman appears back on track while Kyle Tucker has been absolutely hitting the cover off of the ball. Mauricio Dubon is on a torrid run and if it continues could help propel Houston to the top of the AL West in the matter of a weekend.
The Astros should like where they stand heading into this matchup.
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