Jon Gray, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, leads the way for the Texas Rangers (40-20) as they host the St. Louis Cardinals (25-37) at Globe Life Field on Wednesday with the home team looking for a sweep of the three-game Interleague series.
The Rangers lead the series 2-0 after winning 6-4 on Tuesday, their fifth straight victory overall. Starter Dane Dunning went 5.2 innings for the win, giving up four runs on seven hits, and Will Smith earned his 11th save with a scoreless ninth.
Adolis Garcia went 4 for 4 with a solo home run in the win. Ezequiel Duran went 3 for 3 with one run. Willson Contreras was 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Cardinals.
ON THE MOUND
Jack Flaherty (3-4, 4.55 ERA) is set to take the mound for St. Louis. The righty allowed one run over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 7-5 home defeat against the Pirates on Friday. He scattered six hits while striking out six and walking one in the no-decision.
For Texas, right-hander Gray (6-1, 2.51 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cardinals. In his last start on Friday, Gray got the win at home against the Mariners. He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up two hits, striking out five and walking one in the 2-0 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, St. Louis has averaged only 3.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.7, while performing worse across the board (.222/.297/.395).
Against righties like Gray this season, the Cards have a .751 OPS. Nolan Gorman is the team’s biggest extra-base threat against right-handers with a .545 SLG in 167 at-bats.
Texas is averaging 8.0 runs per game in the last five, up from 6.4 for the season, with a better slash line (.352/.407/.582). The Rangers have a .796 OPS against right-handers in 2023, highest in MLB. With a .908 OPS over 176 at-bats, Marcus Semien has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
St. Louis is on a six-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 13-21 in 2023. The Cards have scored 4.0 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.4 runs.
Texas has won eight in a row at their home park. The Rangers are 21-8 at home this season, averaging 7.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cardinals are fifth in the NL Central, eight games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Rangers lead the AL West by four games over the Astros.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Texas Rangers (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
