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Houston At Texas Arlington, 7:05 p.m. (CT)
TV: CSN Houston, MLB.TV
Radio: KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM
Rangers SBNation Blog: Lone Star Ball
Pitching Match
LHP Dallas Keuchel ( 6-9 / 4.99 ERA / 1.53 WHIP) vs. LHP Martin Perez ( 9-5 / 3.54 ERA / 1.37 WHIP)
Preview
We have come to the end, only one game remains between the two teams from Texas. The Arlington Rangers have outscored the Astros 119 to 66 this season. Houston has walked away with only two wins in 18 games between the two teams. The ninetieth game may the most important of all, the Rangers sit one game behind the Indians with four games left in the season. The Astros may not win the war with Rangers, but they can win the one battle that helps keep them out of the playoffs tonight.
Dalllas Keuchel is the man tasked with winning the battle tonight. Thus far September, he is having his worse month this season when looking his ERA (6.75) and WHIP (2.00). He has given up 12 runs over his last 16 innings. All is not lost, in his most recent start he held the Indians to one run over seven innings. Keuchel also has 19 strikeouts over his last 16 innings. The left-hander has a record of 0-1 in three starts against Arlington this season - with a 4.12 ERA and a 1.169 WHIP. Keuchel is currently touting a 3.75 strike-to-walk rate against the Rangers this season.
Adrian Beltre, like many pitchers, has Keuchel's number battting .333 (4-12) with two double and no strikeouts against Keuchel. Alex Rios has two hits in six at-bats including a double in his career against the left-hander.
Martin Perez has made one start against Houston this season, allowing only one run over nine innings on August 11. The Astros' lone run was the result of a Chris Carter home run. Perez has a record of 2-3 with a 3.07 ERA at Rangers Ballpark, but he is 0-2 with a 4.24 ERA over his last three starts.
In his career, Chris Carter is 4-8 with a double to go alone with his home run off Perez. Jose Altuve has a double in four at-bats against Perez. Jake Elmore is 1-for-2 with a walk against the left-hander.
