Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Second-year starter Nick Tepesch (4-8) will attempt to win his first game in nearly a month when he and the Texas Rangers take on left-hander Jason Vargas (10-7) and the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night.

Nick Tepesch ended up with a no decision in his start against the Houston Astros last week after giving up two runs in 4.1 innings of work. He allowed five base hits in that outing while striking out one batter and walking three. Tepesch now has a 4.44 ERA on the year and he has only been able to strike out 47 batters in 97.1 innings.

Royals slugger Josh Willingham has hit a home run off of Tepesch in his career, but he is just 1-for-9 overall against him with two strikeouts. Lorenzo Cain is 4-for-5 against him with a walk and no strikeouts.

Last week, Jason Vargas pitched six innings against the Cleveland Indians at home and ended up taking the loss. He gave up four earned runs on 10 base hits in that game while striking out five batters and walking no one. The left-hander currently owns a 3.27 ERA and he has only walked 1.9 batters per nine innings this season.

Rangers infielder Adam Rosales is 5-for-13 against Vargas in his career with two doubles and an RBI. Shortstop Elvis Andrus is just 10-for-47 against him with two doubles and five strikeouts.

Texas Rangers Betting Trends

Texas Rangers are 59-67-10 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Texas Rangers is -1

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

Kansas City Royals are 60-68-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Kansas City Royals is 0.2

Injuries to Watch

Texas Rangers

08/29/14 LF James Adduci Concussion 7-day DL (8/29)
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 60-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)

Kansas City Royals

08/14/14 P Scott Downs Neck 15-day DL (8/3)
08/01/14 1B Eric Hosmer Hand 15-day DL (8/1)
03/30/14 P Luke Hochevar Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Josh's Pick: Take Texas

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