Sunday, August 31, 2014

Minute Maid Park in Houston

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On Sunday afternoon, rookie Nick Martinez (3-10), who has a 2-3 record with a 6.00 ERA in August) will take the mound for the Texas Rangers when they go up against Dallas Keuchel (10-9) and the Houston Astros.

Nick Martinez struggled in his outing against the Seattle Mariners last week and ended up losing for the 10th time this season. He gave up five runs in five innings of work in that game while striking out no one and walking four. Martinez has given up 122 hits in 105 innings this season and he now has a very high 5.31 ERA through 23 starts.

Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez has three hits in four at-bats against Martinez in his career with an RBI. Catcher Jason Castro is 1-for-4 against him with a walk, an RBI and two strikeouts.

Dallas Keuchel had a good start against the Oakland Athletics last Tuesday and ended up with a no decision. He pitched seven innings in that start and gave up two runs (one earned) on five base hits while walking three and striking out three. He now has a 3.05 ERA after that start and he has struck out 128 batters in 171.1 innings.

Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre has seven hits in 26 at-bats against Keuchel and is the only Texas player who has hit a home run off of the left-hander. Elvis Andrus is just 5-for-24 against him with a walk and two strikeouts.

Texas Rangers Betting Trends

Texas Rangers are 58-65-10 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Texas Rangers is -1

Houston Astros Betting Trends

Houston Astros are 64-68-3 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Houston Astros is -0.7

Injuries to Watch

Texas Rangers

08/29/14 LF James Adduci Head questionable
08/28/14 RF Alex Rios Thumb questionable
08/26/14 P Derek Holland Back out indefinitely
08/26/14 LF Shin-Soo Choo Elbow 60-day DL (8/26), out for season
08/13/14 P Yu Darvish Elbow 15-day DL (8/10)
07/26/14 LF Jake Smolinski Foot 15-day DL (7/22)
06/11/14 P Tanner Scheppers Elbow 15-day DL (6/11)
06/10/14 1B Mitch Moreland Ankle 15-day DL (6/8)
06/04/14 P Alexi Ogando Elbow 60-day DL (6/3)
06/04/14 P Matt Harrison Back 60-day DL (5/14), out for season
05/22/14 1B Prince Fielder Neck 60-day DL (5/17)
05/21/14 P Martin Perez Elbow 60-day DL (5/11)
04/25/14 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff Back 60-day DL (4/23); out for season
04/23/14 P Pedro Figueroa Elbow 60-day DL (4/23)
03/31/14 2B Jurickson Profar Shoulder 60-day DL (3/23)
03/28/14 RF Engel Beltre Leg 60-day DL (3/26)

Houston Astros

08/29/14 LF Robbie Grossman Ankle questionable
07/29/14 P Josh Zeid Foot 15-day DL (7/25), out for season
07/23/14 RF George Springer Knee 15-day DL (7/20)
07/08/14 RF Alex Presley Oblique 15-day DL (7/7)
06/21/14 P Jose Cisnero Elbow 60-day DL (6/20)
04/26/14 P Matt Albers Shoulder 60-day DL (4/22)
03/31/14 P Alex White Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/31/14 P Jesse Crain Bicep 60-day DL (3/21)

Josh's Pick: Take Texas

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