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.

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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