:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60526377/20130329_ajl_at5_278.0.0.0.jpg)
Current Series
3 game series vs Rangers @ Minute Maid Park at Union Station
Texas Rangers Sunday, Mar 31, 2013, 7:05 PM CDT Matt Harrison vs Bud Norris Cloudy. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 75.
Complete Coverage > | ||
| Tue 04/02 | 7:10 PM CDT | |
| Wed 04/03 | 1:10 PM CDT | |
Opening Night, not to be confused with opening day, ushers in a new age of Astros baseball. The Astros face their division rival (that will take some getting use to), the Texas Rangers. Both Texas teams take the national stage tonight on ESPN.
Lineups
#Houston #Astros' lineup: Altuve 2B, Wallace 1B, Carter LF, Pena DH, Maxwell CF, Castro C, Dominguez 3B, Barnes RF, Cedeno SS. Norris P.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) March 31, 2013
#Rangers' lineup vs. #Astros: Kinsler 2B, Andrus SS, Berkman DH, Beltre 3B, Murphy LF, Cruz RF, Pierzynski C, Moreland 1B, Martin CF. #MLB
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) March 31, 2013
Astros Pitcher
Bud Norris, comes off a 2012 that saw him take a step back from being the rising star of the Astros rotation. Norris still pitched well in Minute Maid Park last year, with a record of 4-1 with a 1.71 ERA and 82 strikeouts. The Rangers have not faced Norris yet in his four years of Major League service.
Astros Batters
The only three Astros hitters that have faced Matt Harrison are a collective 0-18; Carlos Pena, Chris Carter, and Ronney Cedeno have yet to get a hit against the Rangers Starter. Brandon Barnes (5 homeruns) and Brett Wallace (.273/.344/.527) are getting the start tonight, hoping to build upon hot starts in Kissimmee.
Rangers Pitcher
Matt Harrison making his first opening day start, after an 18-11 season - the third highest win total in the AL in 2012. The Rangers rewarded Harrison this past offseason with a five-year, $55 million contract. Harrison is 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA lifetime against the Astros.
Rangers Batters
The Rangers have no history with Bud Norris except for Lance Berkman and Geovany Soto. Berkman and Soto have been feat or famine with Norris, each are 1-for-6 with a homerun.
Final Thought
Speaking of Lance Berkman, with the Puma's return to the Juice Box. Would you boo or cheer Lance as he runs out the chalk line before the game? The face of Astros baseball post Killer-B's will once again be wearing another team's uniform.