Rangers vs Astros: Biggest series of the season
By Reid Hanson
The Rangers have 19 games left in the 2015 regular season, but none are more important than those in the current 4-game series against the Astros.
The Rangers are clearly in the midst of their most important series of the season. Biting at the heels of the division leading Astros, the Rangers have a perfect opportunity to make up significant ground these next three days.
The Rangers, currently a wild card team, are looking to upgrade their playoff standing and lay claim to the AL West division crown. The first place Astros are leading them by only half a game, making this series a very pivotal matchup for both teams involved.
The Rangers have had a roller coaster ride of a season that has seen nearly as many “downs” as it has “ups”. Still, the Rangers find themselves in contention. After suffering recently through a significant offensive famine, the Rangers’ bats are flirting with a resurgence. This will obviously be paramount in their success in this series, as well as down the stretch.
The Astros have been fighting through their own offensive issues this past month. They join the Rangers as two of the league’s lowest scoring teams since August 1st. With yesterday’s loss, the Astros are limping through the month of September, collecting only four wins and eight losses.
In fact, the Astros have been a wildly average team all season if you remove their red-hot April. They currently lead the AL in strikeouts per game and seem to rely exclusively on the homerun to win ballgames.
"“Keep ‘em in the yard, and you beat them,” said a scout to the DMN. “They strike out too much and have to hit homers to beat you. That’s why they’re better at home. They hit more homers there.”"
It’s hard to argue with the numbers, and those numbers clearly support that scout’s analysis. The Astros are 48-24 at home but only 28-40 on the road. The question at hand is, is Arlington too homerun friendly to give the Rangers homefield advantage in this series?
That answer remains to be seen, but the Rangers pitching staff appears like they are up to the challenge and have been increasing their strikeouts per game as the season progresses (note: some of this is because personnel changes). Following Cole Hamels, the Rangers will be starting Martin Perez (tonight), Derek Holland (Wednesday), and Colby Lewis (Thursday).
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The matchup to watch for will be Wednesday night when Derek Holland looks to rebound against the Astros left-hander, Dallas Keuchel. Keuchel has had significant success in the three games he has faced the Rangers this season. In his starts against the Rangers, the Astros are 2-1 and Keuchel has dominated with 1.23 ERA. With Holland and Keuchel facing off, Wednesday night will be a huge matchup for both clubs.
Update: Derek Holland has been bumped up and will start tonight for the Rangers
In two weeks, the Rangers and Astros meet for the last time in a three game series in Houston. It’s important the Rangers use these remaining three home games to their advantage, and make their move in the standings as soon as possible, because time is running out.
Next: Stage has Been Set for Rangers
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