Houston Astros (57-53) vs. Texas Rangers (64-47), August 7th, 2016, 2.10 PM ET
TV: Root Sports
Online: MLB.TV
Radio: KBME SportsTalk 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM (En Español)
Texas Rangers SB Nation Blog: Lone Star Ball
Pitching Matchup
RHP Joe Musgrove (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.46 WHIP, 0.13 FIP) vs. RHP Yu Darvish (2-3, 3.29 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 3.29 FIP).
Preview
The Astros send the rookie, Musgrove, to the mound to face off with an ace: Yu Darvish. Darvish, having just come back from injury, is one the best right-handed pitchers in the game. However, if there's anybody who can overcome him, who says it can't be Joe Musgrove?
Musgrove made his Major League debut just five days ago against the Toronto Blue Jays, having dominated the minor leagues all year. Out of the bullpen, he struck out eight batters in just four and a third innings (breaking a Major League record for strikeouts out of the bullpen on a debut).
To summarise, he was sensational. He will look to bring that very form into the game today against the Rangers in the rubber match of the series. After the Astros rode a Dallas Keuchel gem to take game one of the series, Lucas Harrell, no, seriously, Lucas Harrell, out-pitched the Astros and led the Rangers to the second game of the three game set. In this potential ace-off, therefore, it's all up for grabs.
The Rangers have, again, dominated the Astros this year. With better performances against the Rangers, there's a big chance the Astros would actually be leading the division. Coming into the series, the Astros were 1-9 against the Rangers this year. Surely, this series will be the turning point. And, it's all on the shoulders of young Joe Musgrove.