Rangers at Astros
Following a rough series to begin the season versus the Houston Astros, the Texas Rangers are making a strong play toward reclaiming in-state pride in their recent meetings. The Rangers set their sights on a fourth straight win in Houston on Saturday when they continue a three-game set versus the Astros.
Texas has claimed the Silver Boot Trophy in 12 of the 17 years the rivals have met in the regular season, although Houston won the season series 12-7 in 2017 and opened its World Series title defense this season by taking three of four in Arlington. The Rangers scored a pair of 10-inning victories at Minute Maid Park from April 13-15 to halt their recent struggles versus the Astros before Cole Hamels and three relievers combined on a one-hitter Friday to help Texas even the season series at four games apiece. Houston was unable to find any semblance of offense in the 1-0 series-opening loss after blitzing Oakland 24-4 during a three-game road sweep earlier in the week. The Astros have lost four straight at home for the first time since 2016 and been shut out in three of those contests.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Doug Fister (1-3, 4.02 ERA) vs. Astros RH Charlie Morton (4-0, 2.16)
Fister held his own for five innings before falling apart over his final 1 1/3 frames Sunday against Boston, eventually taking the loss after surrendering six runs on nine hits and two walks. The Fresno State product has posted a 1.74 ERA in his two road starts but hasn't won since he yielded one run across five innings while beating Houston in his season debut on March 30. Alex Bregman is 3-for-4 with a homer against Fister, who is 2-1 with a 3.09 ERA in four starts versus the Astros.
Morton threw only 43 of his 82 pitches for strikes last Saturday at Arizona but managed to escape with a no-decision after permitting three runs on three hits and four walks in five frames. The 34-year-old New Jersey native is 1-0 with a 4.32 ERA over his last three outings after going 3-0 with a 0.72 ERA through his first four turns. Joey Gallo is 0-for-9 with eight strikeouts versus Morton, who did not factor into the decision against Texas on April 14 despite fanning a career-high tying 12 over six innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros OF George Springer is day-to-day after getting hit by a pitch on his left elbow in the opener.
2. Rangers 2B Rougned Odor went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in his first game back from the disabled list Friday. INF/OF Renato Nunez was designated for assignment to make for Odor on the roster.
3. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre was hitless in three at-bats in the opener, stopping a six-game hitting streak and three-game streak with multiple RBIs.