Astros at Rangers: Game No. 13 Preview

Houston at Arlington, 2:05 PM CDT

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

Pitching matchup

Brett Oberholtzer (0-2, 4.91 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) vs. Martin Perez (1-0, 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP)

Series Preview Notes

Brett Oberholtzer has yet record a quality start for the Astros this season. He has failed to reach the end of the six inning, while allowing three runs in both games. The left-hander has been the personification of average thus far. That said, it's not hard to keep the faith with Obe'. The season is young and he will find the form that saw him record a 2.24 ERA in 64.1 innings as a starter last year.

Adrian Beltre has had his way with Obe', going 3-for-4 with a double. Mitch Moreland has also accounted for a double against the big lefty in two-at-bats.

Martin Perez isn't a fireballer, he keep the ball on the ground for the most part. He will be just what the doctor ordered if he can keep his rotation spot in 2014. Perez has struck out 10 batters in 12 innings of work thus far in 2014. That's the good part, now the bad part , he allowed six earned runs on 15 hits and three walks.

Jose Altuve and Chris Carter hit Perez hard in the past. Two of the three hits Altuve has collected has gone for doubles. While Carter has burned the lefty for six hits in 11 at-bats, including two home runs.

The left-hander Martin Perez will face a streaking right-handed Matt Dominguez who has four hits in his last four games. Switch hitting Robbie Grossman is 3-for-9 with three extra-base hits in his last three games. Jesus Guzman will take his turn with the platoon at first, he has four hits in his last three appearances.

Elvis Andrus has hit safely in the Rangers' first 11 games this season.

The @Astros pitching staff ranks 1st in the AL in ground ball to fly ball ratio (1.80) & the defense ranks 6th in the Majors in fielding %.

— Steve Grande (@AstrosGrande) April 13, 2014