Astros play the Rangers leading series 1-0
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Audio By Carbonatix
3:55 AM on Tuesday, September 16
By The Associated Press
Texas Rangers (79-72, third in the AL West) vs. Houston Astros (82-69, second in the AL West)
Houston; Tuesday, 8:10 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Rangers: Merrill Kelly (12-7, 3.21 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 162 strikeouts); Astros: A.J. Blubaugh (3-1, 2.45 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 25 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Rangers -134, Astros +113; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros take a 1-0 advantage into the next game of the series against the Texas Rangers.
Houston has a 44-32 record in home games and an 82-69 record overall. Astros hitters have a collective .318 on-base percentage, the sixth-ranked percentage in the AL.
Texas is 32-44 on the road and 79-72 overall. The Rangers have a 38-11 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.
The matchup Tuesday is the 12th time these teams meet this season. The Rangers hold a 6-5 advantage in the season series.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jose Altuve has 22 doubles, a triple and 25 home runs for the Astros. Christian Walker is 12 for 41 with two doubles and two home runs over the past 10 games.
Josh Smith has 23 doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 34 RBIs while hitting .257 for the Rangers. Jake Burger is 10 for 39 with four home runs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Astros: 5-5, .241 batting average, 3.03 ERA, outscored opponents by 12 runs
Rangers: 7-3, .231 batting average, 3.03 ERA, outscored opponents by one run
INJURIES: Astros: Lance McCullers: 15-Day IL (hand), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kaleb Ort: 15-Day IL (elbow), Spencer Arrighetti: 15-Day IL (elbow), John Rooney: 60-Day IL (concussion / nasal), Brendan Rodgers: 60-Day IL (oblique), Pedro Leon: 60-Day IL (knee), Brandon Walter: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bennett Sousa: 15-Day IL (elbow), Josh Hader: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Isaac Paredes: 60-Day IL (hamstring), Zach Dezenzo: 60-Day IL (hand), Ronel Blanco: 60-Day IL (elbow), Hayden Wesneski: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Rangers: Jon Gray: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Danny Coulombe: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Corey Seager: 10-Day IL (appendectomy), Evan Carter: 60-Day IL (wrist), Nathan Eovaldi: 15-Day IL (rotator cuff), Marcus Semien: 10-Day IL (foot), Sam Haggerty: 10-Day IL (oblique), Tyler Mahle: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Cody Bradford: 60-Day IL (elbow), Josh Sborz: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.