The Texas Rangers (68-50) have remained on top in the American League West standings despite losing power-hitting outfielder Nelson Cruz to a 50-game suspension in connection with the Biogenesis clinic scandal. Today they will go for their eighth straight win when the face the Houston Astros (37-79) at 2:10 p.m. The game can be live streamed here; Rangers fans can hear the action on 103.3 ESPN while Astros fans can do the same by tuning in to KBME 790.
The Rangers will be in good position to complete a four-game sweep of the lowly Astros with Yu Darvish (11-5, 2.72 ERA) on the mound. Darvish has massacred Houston this season, racking up 28 strikeouts in three starts against them, including 14 in his first start of 2013.
The Rangers have been on fire lately, not missing a beat without Cruz. They recently acquired Alex Rios from the White Sox on waivers, who is batting .571 with two RBI in his first two games with Texas.
Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler expressed confidence that the team can keep on rolling; even though they're red-hot they are still just one game in front of the Oakland A's. "Ride the wave," Kinsler said. "Just play hard every day and come to win. That's it. ... The confidence level everyone on the club, we all understand it's not one person, it's a collective group. It seems like we have a chance to score every inning. That's comforting."
The Astros will send Brett Oberholtzer (2-0, 2.53 ERA) to the mound who may be overmatched against the All-Star Darvish. Still, Astros manager Bo Porter will make no excuses and expects his team to start stringing wins together no matter who they face.
"We've been in position to win ballgames, but this is major league baseball," Porter said. "Nobody is walking away feeling like it's a moral victory. I don't believe in moral victories, in the first place."
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