Rangers (8-16) at Astros (18-7)
May 4: Detwiler (0-3, 8.66) at Keuchel (3-0, 0.73)
May 5: Wandy (0-1, 4.82) at Feldman (2-2, 4.31)
May 6: Lewis (1-2, 3.00) at Deduno (0-0, 2.70)
All games at 7:10 PM, CDT
TV: Yes!
FINALLY, the Series Previews have come BACK to OWA!
Our long local nightmare is over, Constant Reader. At last, your trusty OWA admins, contributors, hangers-on, and groupies have conspired to return to the grand tradition of previewing each series in our own unique ways. And just in time, too!
https://youtu.be/Y-FrR-f4ig4?t=1m36s
A player on a streak has to respect the streak. You know why? Because they don’t come around that often.
Uh-oh.
Somebody go sacrifice a live chicken while I plow through the rest of this, OK?
Texas Rangers: 8-16
They lead the league in bullpen innings pitched… which, y’know, is not a good sign. Neither is that 8-16 record, but we’re all about digging deeper here. Their best hitter is Prince Fielder, whose bloated contract has provided all of a team-leading 2 home runs; their second-best hitter is Kyle Blanks, who wasn’t on the roster until last week; and their third-best hitter is Carlos Corporan (res ipsa loquitur). Their best starting pitcher doesn’t appear in this series. They are being outscored by more than a run per game. Let’s move on before I write anything that actually jinxes us.
Houston Astros: 18-7
What can you say about this team? How about that the 10-game streak could easily be 15, interrupted only by a 3-2 loss where the team blew opportunities in the 8th and 9th? How about that they are 18-7 despite sub-optimal performances from over half their offensive regulars?
Sometimes, things all break right for a team. Your starter gives up 5 runs on the day the offense has scored 6, not on the day they’re scoreless. Your closer gives up 2 runs on the day he has the 3-run lead, not on the day with the 1-run lead. The hardest-hit ball goes to your best fielder, not over the wall. Such things make hot streaks. And guess what? Such things can make hot SEASONS.
To put things in perspective for the series, George Springer has been more valuable offensively than ANY Texas Ranger this season. Let’s kick ass and take names.
Game 1
Ross Detwiler has gone 1-16 against current Astros. Unsurprisingly, Altuve has that hit. Detwiler has thrown his fastball only 28.2% of the time this season, so the Astros won’t exactly be sitting dead-red.
Dallas Keuchel is clearly more democratic; the man generates ground balls in a way that would make Crash Davis genuflect. He has allowed only a .238 average to current Rangers.
Game 2
Our old friend Wandy Rodriguez has found great success against this lineup, allowing only 5-28 with one double and no HR to current Astros. Wandy hasn’t changed much, still mixing his fastball and curveball in equal parts.
Scott Feldman has fared well against these Rangers, allowing only a .220 average with 2 HR in 123 AB.
Game 3
Colby Lewis has held the current Astros to a .269 clip, but it may be Conger time in this one; Castro is 0-11 lifetime against Lewis, but Conger is 5-17 lifetime against him.
Sam Deduno has struggled against the Rangers, allowing 16-48 with 2 HR. Adrian Beltre might get four wide ones, as he has gone 5-10 with both of those HR against Deduno.
SERIES PREDICTION:
You seriously think I’m going to make a prediction?
Respect the streak.