ASTROS-RANGERS PREVIEW

Astros seek to halt skid, tie series with Rangers behind Framber Valdez

Astros Framber Valdez
The Astros look to even the series with Framber Valdez on the mound. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.

Houston Astros (57-55, second in the AL West) vs. Texas Rangers (54-59, third in the AL West)

Arlington, Texas; Tuesday, 8:05 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Astros: Framber Valdez (10-5, 3.56 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 108 strikeouts); Rangers: Tyler Mahle (0-0)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Astros -127, Rangers +107; over/under is 8 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros head into the matchup with the Texas Rangers as losers of three in a row.

Texas has a 31-25 record at home and a 54-59 record overall. The Rangers have gone 38-19 in games when they record eight or more hits.

Houston is 57-55 overall and 25-29 in road games. The Astros rank eighth in the AL with 125 total home runs, averaging 1.1 per game.

The teams meet Tuesday for the 12th time this season. The Rangers lead the season series 6-5.

Zach Dezenzo makes his Astros debut!

TOP PERFORMERS: Marcus Semien has 20 doubles, two triples and 16 home runs while hitting .244 for the Rangers. Corey Seager is 14-for-42 with a double and four home runs over the past 10 games.

Jose Altuve leads the Astros with a .301 batting average, and has 21 doubles, 14 home runs, 31 walks and 47 RBI. Yainer Diaz is 16-for-38 with two home runs and five RBI over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Rangers: 3-7, .219 batting average, 6.79 ERA, outscored by 28 runs

Astros: 4-6, .223 batting average, 3.69 ERA, outscored by nine runs

INJURIES: Rangers: Jake Latz: 15-Day IL (forearm), Max Scherzer: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Evan Carter: 60-Day IL (lumbar), Jon Gray: 15-Day IL (groin), Cole Winn: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tyler Mahle: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jacob deGrom: 60-Day IL (elbow), Carson Coleman: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Astros: Kyle Tucker: 60-Day IL (shin), Justin Verlander: 15-Day IL (neck), Cristian Javier: 60-Day IL (forearm), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (forearm), Oliver Ortega: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bennett Sousa: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Penn Murfee: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kendall Graveman: 60-Day IL (elbow)

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Cam Smith is the Astros' new right fielder!Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images.

Opening Day is just days away for the Astros, and the biggest storyline leading up to the season has been Cam Smith. Smith put together an impressive spring, but many wondered if that would be enough to make the big league roster. Well, we don't have to wonder anymore.

Manager Joe Espada announced that Smith will start in right field against the Mets on Opening Day. And it gets even better, the Astros captured the moment Smith found out he made the club on video.

Be sure to watch the video below as Smith's mother breaks the exciting news to Houston's new slugger!


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