Hot-hitting Corey Seager will be looking to extend his 10-game hitting streak as the Texas Rangers (52-37) face off against the Washington Nationals (34-54) at Nationals Park on Saturday.
The Rangers took Friday’s series opener 7-2. Cody Bradford went five innings, allowing one run on five hits, to get the win. Seager was 2 for 5 with a home run and a double in the win.
He scored two runs. Adolis Garcia added a home run and a double. He scored two runs and had two RBIs. Joey Meneses went 2 for 4 with two solo home runs for the Nationals.
ON THE MOUND
Andrew Heaney (5-5, 4.12 ERA) is set to take the mound for Texas. The lefty threw five scoreless innings in his last start, a 5-3 home defeat against the Astros on Sunday. He scattered three hits while striking out eight and walking one in the no-decision.
Heaney is making his first appearance against the Nationals this season. Heaney made one start against the Nationals in 2022, a 7-1 home victory for the Dodgers on July 27. He allowed one hit over four scoreless innings, striking out four and walking three.
Right-hander Jake Irvin (1-5, 4.70 ERA) will toe the rubber for Washington. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rangers.
In his last start on Monday, Irvin took the loss at home against the Reds. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on six hits, striking out three and walking one in the 3-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Texas has averaged 6.4 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 5.9. Against righties like Irvin this season, the Rangers have a .789 OPS, second highest in the league.
Nathaniel Lowe is the team’s biggest on-base threat against right-handers with a .370 OBP in 262 at-bats. Washington is averaging only 2.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.1 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.228/.283/.339).
The Nats have a .754 OPS against lefties in 2023. With a 1.057 OPS over 110 at-bats, Lane Thomas has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Texas is 25-19 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.5 runs per game while allowing 3.8 runs. Washington has lost six in a row in front of their home fans.
The Nats are 13-32 at home this season, averaging 3.6 runs per game while surrendering 5.5. Texas is 7-3 in the last 10 games at Nationals Park between the teams with an average scoreline of 5.0-3.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rangers lead the AL West by three games over the Astros. The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, 25 games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Texas Rangers (-185)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
