The Texas Rangers (51-37) take their MLB-best offense on the road to face the Washington Nationals (34-53) at Nationals Park on Friday to open a three-game Interleague series.
The Rangers are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Red Sox, dropping the finale 10-6 on Thursday at Fenway Park.
Jonah Heim was 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs. Corey Seager went 3 for 5 with a solo home run. The Nationals are in the midst of a seven-game homestand.
They are coming off a four-game sweep at the hands of the Reds, dropping the finale 5-4 on Thursday at Nationals Park. Alex Call went 1 for 2 with a home run and three runs, walking twice.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Nationals won two of the three games between the teams.
ON THE MOUND
Cody Bradford (0-1, 4.98 ERA) is set to get the start for Texas. The left-hander threw 2.1 scoreless innings in relief in his last appearance, a 12-11 road defeat against the Astros on Monday.
He struck out four. For Washington, right-hander Trevor Williams (5-4, 4.34 ERA) takes the mound. Williams made one start against the Rangers in 2022, throwing 3.2 innings for the Mets in a 7-3 home defeat on July 2.
He gave up five hits and walked one while striking out three in the loss. In his last start on Sunday, Williams got the win on the road against the Phillies. He threw five innings and gave up three runs on six hits, striking out one and walking two in the 5-4 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The Texas offense is averaging 5.9 runs per game for the season, the best in the league, with a slash line of .275/.342/.461. Four Rangers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Adolis Garcia (.846).
The right fielder is slashing .262/.332/.515 with 22 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 66 runs over 87 games. Against right-handed pitchers like Williams this season, the Rangers have a .788 OPS, second highest in MLB.
Leody Taveras is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .846 OPS in 193 at-bats. Washington is slashing .260/.317/.393 for the season and averaging 4.1 runs per game, the fifth lowest in the league.
Lane Thomas leads the team with a .859 OPS. The center fielder has 14 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 58 runs scored with a slash line of .305/.351/.507.
The Nats have a .759 OPS against lefties in 2023. With a 1.096 OPS over 106 at-bats, Thomas also has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Texas is 24-19 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.5 runs per game while allowing 3.8 runs. Washington has lost five in a row at Nationals Park.
The Nats are 13-31 at home this season, averaging 3.6 runs per game while surrendering 5.5. In nine games at Nationals Park between the teams, Texas is 6-3 with an average scoreline of 4.8-3.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rangers lead the AL West by two games over the Astros. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, 24 games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Texas Rangers (-160)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
