The Texas Rangers head to Houston this weekend to start a three-game series in the Silver Boot Series with the Houston Astros. Following an explosive bench clearing brawl with the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday the Rangers were swept in a three-game set with the Oakland Athletics.
Rangers vs. Astros Series Preview
The Rangers Look To Bounce Back Against The Astros
The Rangers will look to bounce back this weekend in their three game series against a surprisingly underwhelming Houston Astros Team. They have not had any issues dispatching the Astros in recent history as they have already swept them in the first series against them in April, and have beat them 13 out of their last 15 meetings. Colby Lewis will pitch the series opener Friday night. This will be Lewis’s first time facing this Astros this season. Last year he was 4-1 against the Astros. Out of those five games he pitched seven innings or more in three of the games, and also had three quality starts. He will look to build off his recent success against the Astros tomorrow. Cesar Ramos will get another start on Saturday filling in for injured A.J. Griffin, and Cole Hamels is expected to pitch on Sunday to close out the series. Derek Holland is currently in line for the start, but with Thursday being a day off it allows for the team to use Hamels instead to keep him on his four day off rotation.
The Rangers will have a couple noticable of moves for this series as well. The first, and probably most important, is the return of Shin-Soo Choo who has been out of action since the beginning of April with a strained right calf. He will return to right field, and is expected to return to the lead off spot for the Rangers. With the addition of Choo the outfield is a little more crowded. The Rangers are expected to move Nomar Mazara to left field. Texas Manager Jeff Banister had Marza working on his fielding in left field this week in anticipation of Choo’s return. The recently hot hitting Ian Desmond is expected to man center field.
Sam Dyson will be in his first full series as the Rangers closer. Dyson was named the closer after Shawn Tolleson blew his second save in the last seven days. Dyson moves into the role boasting a 1.89 ERA in 20 appearances. According to Jeff Banister, the decision was easy when choosing Dyson over the other candidates to take the place of Tolleson.
In a quote from T.R. Sullivan of MLB.COM Banister said, “Dyson is most effective when he is one inning and done. That in itself puts you in a late role. Barnette has the ability to go one-plus inning. If you take all factors, it points to Dyson getting the opportunity.”
If the Rangers continue the success they have had in the Silver Boot Series with the Astros, Dyson should have plenty of opportunity to get his first saves as the official closer.
The Rangers will need their bats to return in Houston this weekend to get over their sluggish showing in Oakland at the beginning of the week. Hopefully with the return of Choo to the top of the lineup it will be just the spark they need.
Other Notes
*Yu Darvish will make his rehab final start for the Texas Rangers’ Double-A affiliate Frisco RoughRiders on Sunday May 22.
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