First pitch: Monday, 8:40 p.m. ET
Line: Texas -115, Colorado +115, Total: 10.5

The Rangers will be looking to win their third straight game when they face the Rockies in Colorado on Monday.

Texas has been playing extremely well recently and the team has now won seven of its past 10 games. One reason the Rangers are playing this way is because they are really hitting the ball. Texas has racked up at least 11 hits in three of its past four games. The team will be hoping to keep that up and should be able to do so, as hits come even easier in Colorado. The Rockies, meanwhile, have now lost three of their past four games, but this team is still suddenly in the playoff race in the National League. If they can string together some victories then they will be in very good shape moving forward. The pitching matchup in this game is going to be pretty lopsided, as LHP Cole Hamels (12-3, 2.89 ERA, 138 K) is on the mound for Texas and LHP Tyler Anderson (4-3, 3.25 ERA, 52 K) is going to be giving it a go for Colorado. Hamels has been incredible all season and is the Rangers’ best pitcher, but Anderson has been pretty impressive for the Rockies this season. It is worth nothing that the Rangers are 44-21 against the money line when the line is +125 to -125 this season. Texas could, however, be without DH Carlos Beltran (Quad) in this one, as he is listed as questionable for this game.

Hamels has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season and he has now allowed just five earned runs over his past four starts. The lefty has, however, had some issues with his control, as he has walked eight batters over his past three games. It’s crucial that he is able to throw strikes in this game, as the Rockies are the type of team that will make him pay for his mistakes. Offensively, Texas could really use some production out of 3B Adrian Beltre (.271, 16 HR, 65 RBI). Beltre is one of the team’s best hitters and has really been struggling lately, as his average has dipped from .280 to .271 over the past 10 games. If he doesn’t start to get some hits soon then things are going to be tough on this Rangers team, especially in a potentially Beltran-less game against the Rockies on Monday.

The Rockies are not known for having great pitching, but Tyler Anderson has been brilliant since beginning his short career with Colorado. The Rockies’ lefty has allowed three or less earned runs in nine of his 10 starts and that is all a team like Colorado can ask for out of its starters. This is the second most high-scoring team in baseball, so quality starts are huge when the Rockies can get them. Offensively, both 3B Nolan Arenado (.283, 29 HR, 87 RBI) and OF David Dahl (.370, 3 HR, 7 RBI) are guys to keep an eye on in this one. Arenado has been one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball all season and will be feeling confident coming into this one, as he went 3-for-3 with two homers, a double and five RBI on Sunday. Dahl, meanwhile, has made his transition to the pros look easy and has been a machine since getting called up. He’ll be hoping to continue to spark his team moving forward.