Houston @ Texas preview
Globe Life Park in Arlington
Last Meeting ( Aug 20, 2013 ) Houston 2, Texas 4
Adrian Beltre is enjoying a lava-hot hitting spree and attempts to keep the hits coming Wednesday when the Texas Rangers host the Houston Astros in the finale of a three-game series. The veteran third baseman hit the go-ahead, two-run homer in Tuesday’s 4-2 victory, improving Texas’ mark to 13-2 against Houston this season. Beltre is batting .429 with 20 RBIs over the last 21 games to raise his season average to .326, third-best in the American League.
Texas has won 17 of its last 21 contests and holds a 1 1/2-game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the American League West. Houston has lost seven straight against the Rangers and is 4-4 on a nine-game road excursion that ends Wednesday. Third baseman Matt Dominguez hit a two-run homer for Houston’s scoring Tuesday and is 10-for-22 with three homers and six RBIs over his last five games.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, CSN Houston, FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Erik Bedard (3-9, 4.49 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Derek Holland (9-6, 2.95)
Bedard is 0-6 in eight starts since defeating the St. Louis Cardinals on June 26. He lost to Oakland in his last outing when he gave up five runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. Bedard is 0-1 with a 3.80 ERA in four appearances (three starts) against Texas this season and has a 5-5 career mark and 3.55 ERA in 19 career games (18 starts).
Holland hasn’t allowed a run in two of his last three starts with the middle one during the stretch being a no-decision against the Astros in which he allowed three runs and six hits in six innings. He threw seven innings of two-hit ball in a no-decision against Seattle in his last outing. Holland is 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA in four career starts against Houston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers OF Alex Rios drove in a run on an infield hit Tuesday for his third RBI in 10 games since being acquired from the Chicago White Sox.
2. Astros OF L.J. Hoes was hitless in four at-bats Tuesday after a 12-for-25 streak over his previous six games.
3. Texas C A.J. Pierzynski is 9-for-19 with two homers against Bedard.
PREDICTION: Rangers 13, Astros 4