Rangers, O’s meet in clash of offensive titans
They say that everything’s bigger in Texas. Honestly, though, how much more gargantuan can the Rangers’ power displays get?
Despite minimal contributions from No. 3 hitter Prince Fielder, Jeff Bannister’s lineup continues to bludgeon the opposition. The top team in the AL West returns home for tonight’s makeup game vs. Baltimore, with an 8:05 p.m. ET first pitch at Global Life Park. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv embrace the Rangers as 1.5-run favorites. The Orioles, conversely, represent -117 underdogs.
Coming off an emphatic interleague sweep of St. Louis, Texas has prevailed in a season-high six in a row. Credit the offense, which leads the division in homers, with showing the way. Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo’s recent addition only strengthens the uber-versatile cast at Banister’s disposal.
Of course, the O’s can compete with virtually anybody in terms of the lumber department. Buck Showalter’s bunch just battered Toronto, 11-6, to move a game ahead of Boston in the AL East race. This evening, however, could hinge on Kevin Gausman’s effectiveness on the rubber. The righty remains winless through 11 starts.
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Banister counters with Derek Holland (5-5, 5.14), but it always circles back to that Texas batting order. While the skipper would love for Fielder to snap out of his year-long funk, the reality is that Nomar Mazara and Adrian Beltre anchor the attack until further notice. Give Gausman a little dap for some fine peripheral stats, but that elusive W won’t come in Arlington.
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