Houston vs. Texas, 1:10 PM CT
TV: CSN Houston
Radio: KBME 790 AM
Rangers SBNation Blog: Lone Star Ball
Pitching Match
RHP Jordan Lyles (1-0 / 4.50 ERA / 1.30 WHIP) vs. RHP Nick Tepesch (2-3 / 4.50 / 1.00 WHIP)
Preview
Once again the Astros find themselves on the wrong end as another series finished up with the Rangers. Houston has actually lead times in both games; which is an improvement over the being shut out 11-0, in the final two games of the first series. Let's hope the Astros can win one for mom.
Jordan Lyles takes the mound for the Astros today, he has returned to the major league in fine form. Giving up five runs over 10 innings of work thus far, facing two of the best lineups that the game has to offer - Tigers and Angels. Lyles will have to work carefully around Andrus and Cruz; both are batting .333 of the Astros right-hander in 9+ at-bats. The most extraordinary thing about Lyles, he still the second youngest pitcher to start a game in the American League at 22 years old.
A surprise out of Spring Training, Nick Tepesch won the Rangers fifth starter job. Tepesch has a solid low-to-mid 90s fastball, cutter, and the makings of a nice curveball. He hadn't pitched higher then AA last season with a 4.28 ERA and 4.18 FIP in AA. Through his first four starts, he only gave up six runs. Since then it's been a different story, in two starts against the White Sox and Cubs - Tepesch has given up 10 ERs. The Astros are just what the doctor order to help a pitcher get himself correct, right? Well either way, bandwagon Rangers fans at MMP shouldn't get the brooms out so quickly.