HOUSTON ASTROS (5-10)

at TEXAS RANGERS (9-6)

First pitch: Thursday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Houston -158, Texas +148, Total: 8.5

The first-place Rangers go for the series sweep of the division-rival Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

The Rangers (9-6) won the American League West in 2015 and the Astros (5-10) finished two games behind them, securing an AL wild-card berth. The two teams were expected to battle it out for the division this season—and they still might, as it’s very early—but in the first month of the season the Rangers have clearly looked like the better team. Texas, in first place, has a comfortable four-game lead over Houston, which is currently in the cellar. Manager Jeff Banister’s club won the first game of the series, 7-5, on Tuesday, and clinched a series victory with a 2-1 win on Wednesday. As Houston looks to avoid a sweep, there’s no one they’d rather have on the hill than LHP Dallas Keuchel (2-1, 2.18 ERA, 17 SO, 11 BB in 20 2/3 IP). Opposing him for Texas will be 28-year-old RHP A.J. Griffin (1-0, 3.27 ERA, 6 SO, 6 BB in 11 IP). The Rangers lead the American League in runs (70), and Houston is last in the AL in ERA (4.81 ERA)—not an encouraging statistic for Astros skipper A.J. Hinch. Houston has gone just 2-6 away from Minute Maid Park.

The Astros are second in the American League in home runs (22), thanks in large part to hot starts from 1B Tyler White (.340, 5 HR, 12 RBI, .404 OBP, 4 2B, 5 BB) and 2B Jose Altuve (.310, 5 HR, 10 RBI, .412 OBP, 4 2B, 7 BB, 7 SB). LF Colby Rasmus (.286, 3 HR, 8 RBI, .446 OBP), SS Carlos Correa (.269, 3 HR, 7 RBI, .345 OBP) and George Springer (.267, 4 HR, 9 RBI) have all produced offensively. Two-time All-Star Carlos Gomez (.204, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .235 OBP), who was acquired by Houston prior to last season’s non-waiver trade deadline, has gotten off to a brutal start. The Astros’ bullpen has posted a dreadful 4.79 ERA—including a 6.43 ERA on the road. Closer Luke Gregerson (0.00 ERA in 5 IP, 4 S, 0 BLSV) has been dependable in the ninth inning, though. Altuve (4-for-11 with 1 HR, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB) has hit Griffin very well, as has C Jason Castro (.143, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .231 OBP), who has gone 4-for-12 with two home runs and a double against the right-hander.

SS Elvis Andrus (.364, 0 HR, 8 RBI, .408 OBP) has been raking for the Rangers, as has rookie RF Nomar Mazara (.364, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .410 OBP). The most dangerous hitter in the lineup remains 3B Adrian Beltre (.304, 2 HR, 11 RBI, .355 OBP, 6 2B), who just continues to punish major-league pitching year after year. Texas is in first place despite awful starts from DH Prince Fielder (.179, 2 HR, 13 RBI, .246 OBP) and LF Ian Desmond (.132, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .207 OBP). The Rangers have also managed to win games despite awful showings from the bullpen (5.56 ERA)—including a sky-high 9.37 mark at home. Closer Shawn Tolleson (9.00 ERA in 6 IP, 5 S, 1 BLSV) has been a liability, so a tight lead late is never safe. The Rangers have seen a ton of Keuchel, but they haven’t done much against him. Andrus is 9-for-41 against the Cy Young Award winner and Beltre is 9-for-40 with a homer and three doubles. Fielder (7-for-25 with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 2B) has surprisingly had success against the All-Star. 2B Rougned Odor (.250, 2 HR, 13 RBI) only has two hits in 17 career at-bats against Keuchel, but one of those hits was a home run.