Can Liriano, Buccos quiet Rangers?
After watching Yu Darvish make a smashing 2016 debut last night, can the Rangers stay hot in today’s series finale with the Pirates?
Texas hosts Pittsburgh at 3:05 p.m. ET in the interleague rubber match. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI feel confident about the visiting club, whereas Jeff Banister’s bunch enters as a +127 underdog. The over/under run total holds steady at nine.
The months of rehab – and hand-wringing – finally came to an end as Darvish opened the middle contest emphatically. He ended up fanning seven across five stellar innings in his first MLB start in nearly two years. Adrian Beltre, meanwhile, provided the bulk of the offense in the Rangers’ 5-2 triumph. The four-time All-Star smacked a two-run blast off Juan Nicasio to become the fourth third baseman with at least 1,500 RBIs.
This afternoon, Martin Perez (2-4, 3.13 ERA) shoots to benefit from similar heroics. The lefty recorded his first win of the month on Tuesday, twirling six strong frames in a 4-1 verdict over the Angels. Perez’s May ERA sits at a very respectable 2.08, though, and he faces a Pittsburgh (28-20) lineup whose 42 runs scored against southpaws ranks 13th in the National League.
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Then again, the Buccos figure to receive great work from Francisco Liriano (4-2, 4.30) on the hill. The veteran has captured his past four assignments vs. Texas (28-21). Even so, Liriano’s 2016 road ERA of 7.00 should elicit some concerns. He’s simply not the same guy when plucked out of the Steel City, so feel free to lean toward the home team here.
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