Rangers at Astros
Charlie Morton enjoyed the best season of his career in his first year with the Houston Astros in 2017 and is off to another fast start as he prepares to make his third start on Saturday afternoon against the visiting Texas Rangers. A 14-game winner for the Astros a year ago, Morton has not allowed an earned run in his first two outings to continue his success at Minute Maid Park.
George Springer clubbed a pair of solo homers as the Astros squeezed out a 3-2 victory on Friday to improve to 6-1 at home and beat the Rangers for the fourth time in five meetings this season. Gerrit Cole turned in another overpowering performance by fanning 14 to join Nolan Ryan as the only pitchers with at least 11 strikeouts in each of their first three starts in a season. With leading hitter Elvis Andrus (elbow) joining Delino DeShields and Rougned Odor on the disabled list, Texas had six players at the age of 25 or younger in Friday's starting lineup. Joey Gallo and Robinson Chirinos hit solo homers for the Rangers, who have been outscored 36-12 during their five-game slide.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, FS Southwest (Texas), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Mike Minor (1-1, 2.53 ERA) vs. Astros RH Charlie Morton (2-0, 0.00)
Minor was unable to get the final out of the fifth inning in his season debut and was charged with the loss against Houston after allowing a pair of runs and three hits. He followed with a strong outing against Toronto, allowing a solo homer among two hits while striking out seven in six frames. Jose Altuve is 3-for-5 lifetime versus Minor, who owns a 1-2 record and 4.44 ERA in seven career appearances against the Astros.
Morton went 10-3 at Minute Maid Park last year and continues to make himself feel right at home, blanking Baltimore on three hits over six innings in his season debut. The 34-year-old then delivered a strong effort against visiting San Diego last time out, allowing an unearned run and four hits while striking out seven. He split two decisions versus Texas last season, but Adrian Beltre is 2-for-3 against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. Beltre is 0-for-10 this season with runners in scoring position.
2. Astros C Brian McCann has recorded multi-hit performances four times in his last eight games.
3. Texas signed RHP Yovani Gallardo to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Round Rock.