Houston Astros (71-44) vs. Texas Rangers (55-59), August 12, 2017, 7:05 p.m. CT
TV: AT&T SportsNet-SW
Radio: KBME 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM
Online: MLB.TV
Rangers SBNation Blog: Lone Star Ball
Pitching Matchup
RHP Mike Fiers (7-6, 4.06 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, .271 BABIP, 4.42 xFIP) vs. RHP Tyson Ross (2-2, 7.52 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, .272 BABIP, 5.78 xFIP)
Preview
#AstrosTwitter has one clear barometer for when the natives are getting restless: the amount of unnecessary flak MLB.com beat writer Brian McTaggart is having to deal with. The flak levels are pretty close to WW2 aerial battle levels. Case in point:
My followers are the best!
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 12, 2017
The #AstrosTwitter got here after a sub .500 record following the All-Star break, a handful of stars on the DL, and no major moves at the trade deadline. Losing has created a mutiny.
The Astros hoping to pull out of their four-game tailspin with Mike Fiers. Fiers has allowed 10 earned runs over his last 12 1/3 innings. It is a step back from his month of July, he was 2-2 with a 2.89 ERA in five games.
Fiers faces the Rangers for the second time in 2017, he allowed five earned runs on seven hits over six innings on May 2. Elvis Andrus (.273) and Rougned Odor (.250) have 10-plus at-bats against Fiers. Andrus has two home runs and two RBIs. Odor had three hits for four RBIs. Mike Napoli is 1-for-7 with five strikeouts.
Rangers starting pitcher Tyson Ross was placed on the DL for the second time in 2017 with a blister in late July. He makes his first start since July 23 with the Rangers. He was 1-1 with an 8.66 ERA during his four starts during the month of July.
Ross hasn't faced the Astros during his one season with the Rangers. Jose Altuve is 2-for-3 with a double against Ross.