The Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Indians meet Tuesday in MLB action from Progressive Field. Texas is coming off a series versus the Red Sox. The Rangers split the first two games in that set, then on Monday Texas lost in extras. As for the Indians, they played the Angels over the weekend. Cleveland managed a three-game sweep in that series. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Texas fell to the Red Sox 6-0 on Friday, but then bounced back for a 10-1 win in Saturday’s game two. After a rainout postponement, in the Monday game three the Rangers gave up four runs in the bottom of the 11th in a tough 8-4 loss. Starter Kolby Allard put up 6.0 innings with three earned on four hits and three walks.
For Tuesday’s starting pitcher job, the Rangers will send out Taylor Hearn. Over his 65.2 innings this year Hearn has 55 hits, 33 runs (29 earned), 10 homers allowed, 32 walks, 65 Ks and a 3.97 ERA.
Over on the Indians’ side, they played three games versus the Angels over the weekend. Cleveland took wins 9-1 Friday, 5-1 on Saturday and 3-0 in the Sunday finale. In the final game, Indians starter Cal Quantrill lasted 7.0 innings with no earned on two walks and two hits.
Starting pitcher for the Tuesday game will be Cleveland’s Eli Morgan. In his 54.1 innings this season Morgan has 55 hits, 35 earned runs, 12 homers, 12 walks, 54 Ks and a 5.80 ERA.
The Rangers are 21-45 in their last 66 Tuesday games and 20-45 in their last 65 in game one of a series. Texas is 21-53 in their last 74 overall and 9-24 in their last 33 versus the AL Central.
Meanwhile, the Indians are 4-1 in their last five overall and 5-2 in their last seven in game one of a series. Cleveland is 1-5 in the last six Tuesday games and 1-6 in their last seven after an off day.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Indians. This should be a pretty interesting starter battle regardless, though. Morgan had a sketchy outing versus the A’s (five earned; 4.0 innings), but he bounced back in his last game in Minnesota. In that one, Morgan put up 6.0 frames with three hits, two walks and zero earned. As for Hearn, he’s coming off two earned on five hits in 5.0 innings and has been gradually working deeper into games. I like both guys to do well here in an eventual Cleveland win.