This is a 7* on HOUSTON

After sweeping a four-game series from the Rangers last weekend, Houston lost to them (in extra innings) Friday. The 10th inning started well enough for the Astros as they put a run on the board via a throwing error. But it wasn’t to be as the Rangers’ Adolis Garcia hit a 3-run walkoff in the bottom half of the inning. With that loss “out of the way” (can’t beat Texas every game), we expect the Astros to do quite well for themselves Saturday. They’ve got Lance McCullers going and they have won each of the last four times he’s pitched. McCullers has delivered five quality starts in a row, lasting a total of 33 innings while giving up only six runs (1.64 ERA). Texas does not exactly have a high-powered lineup and opponents are batting just .173 against McCullers this season, the second lowest average allowed by an AL pitcher. In 10 career starts vs. the Rangers, there have been three times where McCullers didn’t allow any runs. The Rangers send out Jordan Lyles, who has been better of late but still has an 8.47 ERA here at home. Texas is a horrible 8-22 vs. righties. Houston is clearly the cream of the crop in the AL West and will prove that again this afternoon. Play on HOUSTON

AAA