RANGERS @ ASTROS
June 12-14, 2017
These fucks again.
What happened in the last series?
The goddamn Rangers (30-32) inexplicably swept the Nationals in Washington, and even held them to six runs over the entire weekend. Be on the alert for uppity Rangers fans and/or an uppity Dave Raymond as a result.
The Astros (44-20) badly need an off day. Ten games in ten days with the suddenly exacerbated lack of pitching depth has not done the team any favors, dropping a home series to the sub-.500 Angels. At least Musgrove is back from the DL.
Schedule/Probables
Monday, June 12 – 7:10pm CDT
Yu Darvish (5-4, 3.18) vs. Joe Musgrove (4-4, 4.89)
After the Astros bounced Darvish after just five innings, he lasted into the 8th inning against the Mets and gave up three runs. The Rangers tied the game in the bottom of the inning, getting Darvish off the hook for the loss, their bully coughed it right back up in the 9th.
Musgrove’s last outing was spectacular (7 IP, 4 H, 0 R vs. the Orioles) but his earlier outing against the Rangers was not so good, and is the only game against the Rangers the Astros have lost this season. I suspect he’ll also have some rust on him after not pitching in a game since May 26.
Tuesday, June 13 – 7:10pm CDT
Nick Martinez (1-3, 4.88) vs. Lance McCullers Jr. (6-1, 2.58)
Martinez was on the receiving end of the 10-1 thrashing the Astros gave him in Houston, and threw 3+ innings of long relief during the Astros’ 7-2 win in Arlington on June 4. That was the last time he has pitched. Between those games, he’s allowed four or more runs three times.
McCullers is a badass, taking a no-hitter into the 7th against the Royals but unfortunately not factoring into the decision..
Wednesday, June 14 – 7:10pm CDT
Andrew Cashner (3-5, 3.17) vs. Brad Peacock (3-1, 3.15)
The Astros notched 11 hits on Cashner when they faced him in Arlington, but he made a decent turnaround in Washington on Friday, holding the Nationals to one run over seven innings.
Peacock had his first really rough start of the year against the Angels, allowing 11 baserunners while striking out just one batter in three innings. He did have a quality start against the Rangers though.