Phillies at Rangers
The red-hot Texas Rangers will have the opportunity to move above .500 for the first time since the start of the season when they play the second contest of a three-game interleague series versus the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. The Rangers' surge can be attributed to their potent offense, which has scored 42 runs during their season-high seven-game winning streak.
Nomar Mazara, who belted a solo homer in Tuesday's 5-1 romp over the Phillies, is 9-for-23 with six RBIs during his six-game hitting streak. Mike Napoli also went deep and has three homers among his six hits and seven RBIs during his last five contests. While Texas has regained its footing after stumbling out of the blocks, Philadelphia has fallen fast with losses in 13 of its last 16 overall and 14 of 20 on the road this season. Freddy Galvis has eight hits and as many RBIs in his last eight games, but he has struggled mightily against Wednesday starter Andrew Cashner (2-for-17).
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Zach Eflin (0-0, 2.81 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Andrew Cashner (0-3, 2.43)
Eflin's quest for his first major-league win continues after he recorded his fifth straight no-decision on the heels of two consecutive three-run, nine-hit outings. The 23-year-old has struggled to keep the ball in the park, as he was taken deep once by Robinson Cano in last Wednesday's encounter with Seattle and four times over his last four starts. "I didn't have my best stuff, but I was able to battle," Eflin said after he tossed 106 pitches over six innings.
Like Eflin, Cashner is also searching for his first win despite yielding one run in six innings for the second time in as many outings in a no-decision versus Oakland on Friday. The 30-year-old has received results when he faces Philadelphia, posting a 3-1 career mark with a 2.55 ERA in 12 appearances (six starts). Cashner has struggled when Odubel Herrera (.545, two homers) and Cesar Hernandez (.444) step into the batter's box.
WALK-OFFS
1. With a victory on Wednesday, Texas can match the majors' longest winning streak this season (New York Yankees, April 9-17).
2. Philadelphia 3B Maikel Franco has hit safely in three straight games after going 0-for-12 in his previous four contests.
3. Rangers C Jonathan Lucroy is 10-for-19 during his five-game hitting streak.