Saturday, May 31, 11:05 AM on FSSW, MASN

Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia

Texas Rangers - Tepesch, N (2-0) vs. Washington Nationals - Fister, D (2-1)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Saturday afternoon, the Texas Rangers and Nick Tepesch will take on the Washington Nationals and Doug Fister. Tepesch will make his 4th start as Fister makes his 5th.

Nick Tepesch improved his record to 2 – 0 with an ERA of 2.95 after getting the win in his last start.  In that outing, Tepesch allowed just 2 runs on 7 hits (including a home run) in 6.2 innings of work.  He didn’t issue a walk as he struck out 4.  In 2013, Tepesch went 4 – 6 with a 4.84 ERA in 17 starts and 2 relief appearances during his rookie season.

Last season, Tepesch didn’t face the Nationals and he lacks any experience against the Washington lineup. But if he shows the Nationals what he has shown his previous opponents, he should do just fine.

Doug Fister picked up his second straight win in his last outing and that gave him a 2 – 1 record with a 3.42 ERA coming into this start.  In that last start, Fister allowed just a run (on a solo homer) on 6 hits in 5.1 innings of work.  Fister struck out 4 without walking anyone.   In 2013, Fister was a solid 14 – 9 with a 3.67 ERA in 32 starts and 1 relief appearance for the Detroit Tigers.

Last season, Fister was 1 – 0 with a 5.91 ERA in 2 starts against the Rangers.  Many of the Rangers have hit Fister well in the past but Alex Rios could be one to watch.  Rios is 10 of 19 with 2 RBIs against the right-hander.          

Texas Rangers Betting Trends

Texas Rangers are 24-24-5 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Texas Rangers is -0.2

Washington Nationals Betting Trends

Washington Nationals are 25-20-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Washington Nationals is 0

Injuries to Watch

Texas Rangers

05/22/14 1B Prince Fielder Neck 15-day DL (5/17)
05/21/14 P Martin Perez Elbow 60-day DL (5/11)
05/14/14 P Matt Harrison Back 15-day DL (5/14)
04/25/14 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff Back 15-day DL (4/23)
04/23/14 P Pedro Figueroa Elbow 60-day DL (4/23)
04/19/14 LF James Adduci Finger 15-day DL (4/19)
04/18/14 P Tanner Scheppers Elbow 15-day DL (4/18)
03/31/14 C Geovany Soto Knee 60-day DL (3/30)
03/31/14 2B Jurickson Profar Shoulder 60-day DL (3/23)
03/28/14 RF Engel Beltre Leg 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Joe Ortiz Foot 60-day DL (2/14)

Washington Nationals

05/18/14 P Gio Gonzalez Shoulder 15-day DL (5/17)
05/16/14 CF Eury Perez Toe 60-day DL (5/15)
04/27/14 LF Bryce Harper Thumb 15-day DL (4/26)
04/13/14 3B Ryan Zimmerman Thumb 15-day DL (4/13)
04/13/14 LF Jeff Kobernus Hand 60-day DL (4/12)
03/29/14 P Ross Ohlendorf Back 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Erik Davis Elbow 60-day DL (2/13)

Josh's Pick: Take Texas

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald