Rangers at Braves (Game 1)
Only one team in baseball has slugged more homers than the Texas Rangers, who will get plenty of opportunities to smash longballs heading into a day-night doubleheader Wednesday at the struggling Atlanta Braves. The middle contest of the three-game interleague series was postponed due to rain Tuesday, one night after the Rangers hit three homers in an 8-2 victory to reach 215 - matching their 2016 total - and they trail only Baltimore (216) this year.
The Rangers enter Wednesday’s doubleheader above .500 (69-68) for the first time since Aug. 24 and just the second time in the past 60 games dating back to June 28, as Texas chases the final American League wild-card spot. Shortstop Elvis Andrus has three homers in his past two games for the Rangers and is tied for fifth in longballs at his position, while leading all shortstops in doubles (37) and RBIs (77). Atlanta has turned its focus toward 2018, deploying several impressive rookies into its lineup despite losing 31 of its past 46 contests. Second baseman Ozzie Albies is hitting .362 in his past 18 contests, while shortstop Dansby Swanson is batting .373 in his past 24 games.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Miguel Gonzalez (7-10, 4.31 ERA) vs. Braves LH Luiz Gohara (NR)
Gonzalez makes his first start for Texas after pitching well in his final five starts for the Chicago White Sox, going 2-0 with a 1.85 ERA in 34 innings. He gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings Thursday at Minnesota (before being traded to the Rangers after the game), after allowing two runs or fewer in his previous four outings. In his sixth major-league season, the 33-year-old Gonzalez has struggled away from home - posting a 3-7 record with a 5.23 ERA in 13 starts.
Gohara has advanced quickly since being acquired in an offseason deal from Seattle, going 7-4 with a 2.62 ERA in 26 appearances across three levels of Atlanta’s minor-league system. He went 2-2 with a 3.31 ERA in seven starts for Triple-A Gwinnett, striking out 48 while walking only 16 in 35 1/3 innings. The 21-year-old went 3-1 with a 1.98 ERA at Single-A Florida and 2-1 with a 2.60 ERA at Double-A Mississippi.
WALK-OFFS
1. Texas scored eight-plus runs Monday for the fourth time in the past seven contests.
2. Since reaching .500 at 45-45 on July 16, Atlanta has posted a 5.13 ERA.
3. The Rangers are 13-5 in interleague play this season.