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Houston at Arlington, 7:05 PM CDT
TV: CSN Houston, MLB.TV, FSSW
Radio: KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM
Rangers SBNation Blog: Lone Star Ball
Pitching matchup
Jarred Cosart (1-1, 4.09 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) vs. Tanner Scheppers (0-1, 9.00 ERA, 2.33 WHIP)
Notes From Series Preview
I should copy and paste this into each preview with Cosart, the Astros will win the game if he keeps his electric stuff under control. A perfect example of this is Cosart's last two starts - five scoreless innings with zero walks in a win against the Yankees on April 2. Four walks and five earned runs in a loss to the Angels on April 7. On August 20 2013, Cosart made his lone start against the Rangers - allowing three runs on four hits and three walks.
In this one start, Adrian Beltre did Beltre-like things, collecting a double and home run in three at-bats. Alex Rios was the only other Ranger to get a hit off Cosart. Elvis Andrus picked up one of the three walks in the game.
Tanner Scheppers was a key cog in the Rangers bullpen last season, injuries have pushed him to the rotation. So far he has struggled, allowing nine runs on 17 hits and four walks. The Phillies shelled him in his first start for seven runs in just four innings work. In second start, he weathered nine hits but allowed only two runs over five innings. Scheppers has been living dangerously, it's not summer yet but Rangers Ballpark Globe Life Park is still a launching pad. Something that might play into the homer-happy Astros' hands.
The Astros are coming 2-for-37 offensive performance against the Ranger' ace Yu Darvish. Matt Dominguez was the only Astro with a hit(s) yesterday. They will need to approve upon a league low .188 batting average, and .132 average with runners in scoring position.
Carlos Corporan steps at catcher for today's game, pushing Jason Castro to designated hitter. This is Corporan's first start since April 7.
The Rangers were 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position yesterday. Kevin Kouzmanoff will get the start again at third base in place of the injured Adrian Beltre.