Houston Astros (32-56) at Texas Rangers (50-37), 2:05 PM (CT)

Houston at Texas Arlington, 2:05 (CT)

TV: CSN Houston
Radio: KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM
Rangers SBNation Blog: Lone Star Ball

Pitching Match

LHP Érik Bédard (3-4 / 4.59 ERA / 1.49 WHIP) vs. RHP Justin Grimm (7-6 / 5.84 ERA / 1.56 WHIP)

Preview

No one would have ever expected the Astros to break a start by Yu Darvish, let alone score 9 runs. Now the Astros hope to sneak out of the Ballpark at Arlington with a series win. Houston will send out Érik Bédard, the man that pulled himself out of the bullpen with six quality starts in his last 11 outings. Bédard had one of his worst outings this season in his last start, giving up four earned runs over 5 1/3 innings against the Rays.

In his last start against the Rangers this season, Bédard helped Texas to two runs over five innings. Bédard's high fly ball rate (65.5% FB, 10.7% HR/FB) may not translate well in the Ballpark at Arlington. Adrián Beltré and Nelson Cruz have four homeruns, and 10 strikeouts collectively in their careers against Bédard.

Justin Grimm made his major league debut against the Astros in 2012, giving up three runs over six innings with seven strikeouts. Earlier this season, Grimm was named American League Rookie of the Month for April with 2-0 record and a 1.59 ERA in 3 starts. Since April, Grimm's season has gone in the wrong direction. Most recently, he has an 9.00 ERA over the month of June. In his last start, Grimm gave up five earned runs to Mariners over four innings. José Altuve is 1-for-3 in his career against Grimm with a double.