Texas Rangers Set Pitching Rotation for Astros Series

While the Texas Rangers know their starters, the Houston Astros still have some things to figure out for the final two games.

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The Texas Rangers will start Jon Gray to begin a four-game series with the Houston Astros on Friday at Globe Life Field.

In fact, the Rangers’ probable starters for the entire series, which ends on Monday, are set.

Gray (6-3, 2.89) got an extra day of rest, thanks to the Rangers starting Cody Bradford on Thursday in the 8-5 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

Gray should square off with Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco (1-0, 4.63).

The Saturday matchup is set, too. Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (9-3, 2.82) also gets an extra day of rest, thanks to Bradford, with his last start coming on Sunday at the New York Yankees.

Eovaldi will face Astros rookie right-hander Hunter Brown (6-4, 3.62), who has been the Astros’ version of the Rangers’ Dane Dunning. Brown has emerged as a capable replacement for two pitchers that are out for the season — Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia. Plus, José Urquidy is out until after the All-Star break.

The Rangers will start left-hander Andrew Heaney (5-5, 4.38) on Sunday and left-hander Martín Pérez (7-3, 4.28) on Monday.

The Astros’ probable starters beyond Saturday aren’t as clear. If the Astros were to remain on time, the Rangers would see left-hander Framber Valdez (7-6, 2.49) on Sunday and Cristian Javier (7-1, 3.72) in the series finale. But, per MLB.com, Astros manager Dusty Baker said that “Javier's not himself right now. We'll see.”

The Rangers (49-32) go into Friday’s series with a five-game lead over the Astros (44-37).

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