The Houston Astros host Texas Rangers in the second game of a three-game series Tuesday night. The Astros have the best record in the American League while the Rangers are out of contention, tied for third place in the AL West. The Astros are 12-4 against the Rangers this season. First pitch is at 8:10 p.m. at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
The Texas Rangers came into this series on an 8 game losing streak. They were just what the struggling Boston Red Sox ordered as the Red Sox swept the Rangers in four straight to keep their flickering playoff hopes alive. On Sunday they fell to Boston 5-2 as starter Dane Dunning got pounded for 5 runs on 8 hits in just 4 innings with 2 strikeouts and 3 walks. The offense only cobbled together 4 hits, with Leody Taveras getting two of them. Texas averages 4.52 runs per game, which ranks 10th in league. They are 15th in team batting average, 8th in home runs, and 12th in slugging percentage. Nathaniel Lowe leads the Rangers batting .305 with 23 home runs and 67 RBI while Corey Seager is hitting .253 with 29 home runs and 72 RBI.
Glenn Otto gets the start for the Rangers on Monday. Otto, a right-hander, is 6-8 on the season with a 4.82 ERA in 21 starts. Perez has 82 strikeouts and 55 walks in 104.2 innings pitched. Otto got as no-decision in his last start, a 9-8 loss to Boston. He allowed 3 runs on 4 hits in 5 innings with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk. Otto 0-1 with an ERA of 3.52 and 12 strikeouts in 3 appearances against Houston this season. In his career against the Astros, Otto is 0-2 with an ERA of 4.94 and 22 strikeouts in 5 appearances. The Rangers have a team ERA of 4.17, which is 21st in baseball. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.77, which is 13th best in baseball.