Houston at Texas

The Texas Rangers are home and have owned state-rival Houston. Texas has taken 13 of 15 after a 12-4 rout yesterday, part of a 70-26 run against the Astros. The Houston Astros play their third straight road game of a tough trip, and they are off to Cleveland after this. The pitching has been shredded, allowing 25 runs in three games on the trek! Astros righty Collin McHugh (9-10, 4.80 ERA) has not fooled Texas with the Rangers hitting .341 against him. McHugh was ripped for four runs and seven hits in 3+ innings to take the loss in his last encounter with the Rangers on June 9. American League West-leading Texas has won nine of 10 with an offense that is sixth in baseball in runs and slugging. Ace Yu Darvish (5-3, 3.01 ERA) improved to 3-0 in his last five outings on Monday after striking out nine in 6+ innings of a 6-3 victory over Seattle. Darvish loves this park, he is 5-0 at home this season with a 3.00 ERA and 1.07 WHIP while limiting the opposition to a .222 average. The Rangers are on an 45-18 run at home while the Astros are 12-40 in this park. Play Texas.