The Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Indians meet Thursday in MLB action from Progressive Field. This will be the final installment in a three-game series between these teams this week. The Rangers managed a win Tuesday in the opener, then on Wednesday the Indians evened the set with a victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Texas notched three runs in the ninth inning on Tuesday, helping seal an eventual 7-3 victory. In the Wednesday game, the Rangers couldn’t recover from a 3-0 deficit in an eventual 7-2 defeat. Texas’ Jake Latz lasted 4.2 innings with three earned on five hits in the start.
For the starter job on Thursday, the Rangers will send out Jordan Lyles. This year Lyles has 138.1 innings with 156 hits, 83 runs (82 earned), 31 homers allowed, 46 walks, 111 Ks and a 5.33 ERA.
Over on the Indians’ side, they gave up three runs in the first inning and 15 hits in the game on Tuesday in the opener. In the Wednesday matchup, Cleveland put up 10 hits during the victory. Zach Plesac managed 5.2 innings with two earned on eight hits and three walks.
For the starting pitcher gig in the finale Thursday, the Indians will send out Sam Hentges. So far this season Hentges has 52.2 innings with 75 hits, 45 runs (44 earned), eight homers allowed, 28 walks, 51 Ks and a 7.52 ERA.
The Rangers are 22-54 in their last 76 overall and 7-19 in their last 26 Thursday games. Texas is 14-38 in the last 52 road games versus a team with a losing record and the over is 4-1 in their last five in game three of a series.
Meanwhile, the Indians are 1-4 in their last five Thursday games and 16-7 in their last 23 at home with a total of 7.0-8.5. The over is 5-1 in Cleveland’s last six in game three of a series and 12-4 in their last 16 home games with a total of 7.0-8.5.
PICK: I’m sticking with Cleveland. Hentges has been up and down over his last three appearances, with five earned in 8.0 innings on 11 hits and two walks. That said Hentges put up one earned on three hits in 4.0 innings his last time up. As for Lyles, he had a bad stretch going for a few games but bounced back with a nice effort versus the Red Sox. I like both guys to do well here in a tight Indians win. Should be a fun game.