Rangers series preview: Houston Astros

First, I know by now you’ve seen links upon links of places to donate to help those impacted by Hurricane Harvey, this post from Texas Monthly has a huge list of local Houston and other south Texas organizations to donate to if you’re interested.

On to less important things.

The Rangers and Astros will play this three game series in Tampa, 6:10 p.m. starts (Texas time) for Tuesday and Wednesday’s game. Thursday’s game will be in the afternoon with a 12:10 p.m. start time.

The Rangers will go into the series with a 64-66 record, 4-6 for their last 10, and three games back in the wild card chase.

The Astros are 79-51 on the season, 5-5 for their last 10, and witha strong hold of the division lead, up 13 games.

GAME ONE

Perez will make the first start of the series for Texas and Fiers will take the mound for Houston. Perez is currently 9-10 on the season with a 5.00 ERA, Fiers holds an 8-8 record with a 4.17 ERA.

Perez is 4-0 with a 3.00 ERA in his last four starts. In his last start against Houston, he went just 3.2 innings and have up six runs, only five earned. He’s 5-4 with a 3.05 ERA in 10 career starts against the Astros.

Fiers went seven innings in his last start and gave up just one run, giving up just four hits, a walk and striking out six, breaking a five-start winless streak. In five appearances against Texas, four starts, he’s 0-2 with a 7.57 ERA.

GAME TWO

Andrew Cashner will start against Houston for the fifth time this season and hopefully his first win. His last start against them was earlier this month where he went seven innings and gave up two runs on six hits. He’s 7-9 with a 3.44 ERA on the season, 3-2 with a 3.25 ERA in his last seven starts.

Dallas Keuchel will get his third start against the Rangers this year. He’s at least six innings in his last two starts against Texas, got the win in both. He is 11-2 with a 2.58 ERA for the season, 3-2 with a 3.96 ERA in his last seven starts.

GAME THREE

Cole Hamels and Collin McHugh will each take the mound in Thursday’s afternoon game to close out the series.

Hamels is 9-2 with a 3.78 ERA on the season, 5-1 with a 3.77 ERA in his last seven. Staying consistent, his career ERA against the Astros is 3.78 with a 7-3 record in 15 starts.

This will be McHugh’s first start against the Rangers this year. He’s 2-2 with a 3.63 ERA this season. He’s 4-1 in his career against Texas with a 5.30 ERA in seven starts. In his last five starts against the Rangers, he’s 2-1 with a 7.03 ERA. In his last start against the Angels, he went six innings giving up just one run on three hits and two walks. He struck out eight.