Post by Commissioner Erick on Jan 25, 2022 17:28:08 GMT -5
Houston Astros (35-55) @ Texas Rangers (50-40)
HOU: Jeff Morrison (5-7, 4.13)
TEX: Esteban Valadez (8-3, 4.23)
Astros 5 Key Stats
11: Home Runs for Yoshitomo Tsutsugo. Tsutsugo will miss time with a sore shoulder, meaning Houston will need to replace one of its three hitters with double digit home runs. Tsutsugo is only hitting .216, but with a strong walk rate, he’s been one of the team’s better hitters.
65: Errors committed by Houston, most in the AL. Dansby Swanson has been the worst culprit with a whopping 22 errors committed this year. Swanson had been a solid enough defender until this year, and had never committed more than 25 homers in a season. He’s been rough offensively, but his defensive struggled have been equally disappointing to an Astros team that has depended on him.
.898: Ajani Dimanche’s OPS. Dimanche spent most of 2026 in the minors, but has returned to full-time starting with a bang. His .260 average is the best mark of his career, and it’s allowed his power to play up. Dimanche already has 24 home runs and 58 RBIs. He once slugged 38 homers, so big long ball totals aren’t new to him, but this could be his first season with over 100 RBIs.
9.39: Antonio Santillan’s ERA. Santillan had a huge season in 2026, with a 0.89 ERA and 41 Saves. Coming off a torn tendon in his elbow, he was thrust to the majors without a rehab assignment. In 7 games, he’s allowed five walks, a pair of homers, and 10 hits. Still building his stamina, he may have built up enough strength to be an asset today, or he may still be rounding into form, leaving him vulnerable.
.749: Houston’s OPS against righties. Houston has a .649 OPS against lefties, meaning they’ll be better served facing Texas’ rotation, which contains five right-handed starters. Alex Claudio and Dan O’Rourke will likely pitch today against Houston’ lefty-dominated lineup. Despite that, Houston has faced the Rangers in Texas for six games this season—and lost five of them.
Rangers 5 Key Stats
5.46: Texas’ starting pitching ERA: The Rangers used to be a pitching factory, but have struggled this year. Even last year’s Cy Young award winner, Esteban Valdez, has scuffled with a 4.23 ERA. Valdez hasn’t allowed many walks or homers so the high ERA appears fluky, but he hasn’t been the dominant force he was last year.
3: Games this season where Dan O’Rourke has allowed a run. Pencil face has been dominant, not allowing a home run, striking out 36, and working to a 0.36 ERA. Lefties are hitting .102 without an extra base off him, helping him strand 91% of inherited runners. With the Astros featuring a number of lefties, O’Rourke will likely be unleashed today.
9: Wins in 11 games for Texas in July. The Rangers struggled to close June, but showed that they’re still down for a playoff run with a hot start to July. Texas avoided a sweep to start the month in Detroit, took two of three from winning teams in Tampa and Minnesota, and swept the Angels. With an easy stretch to close the month, as well as games against Seattle, Texas can change their playoff positioning radically with a strong month.
5: Triples for Raimfer Salinas. Salinas continues to expand his game every year, and is a true All-Star. He’s hitting .314, a career best, while shattering his career OBP mark with a .354 number. Salinas’ 14 home runs put him on pace to produce career norms, but he’s compensated by putting up five triples. That number ties his career best. He’s also cut his strikeout rate to 16.6%, easily a career best. Salinas has always been a Gold Glove defender and a hitter with upside. Now, he’s one of the best Center Fielders in baseball.
.798: Ghi-Cheng Der’s OPS allowed to lefties. Der has been wild against lefties, with a 12.4% walk rate. He’s also allowed five home runs to lefties this year. Texas may be able to get to the 9th, but Der will need to be on point against a lineup that can hit righties.
Questions for the GMs:
For Neil Ehm, Yoshitomo Tsutsugo will be out for a few weeks. Who will replace him on the roster and in Left field today?
Quasimodo Romero came up way too early, and has been marinating in Triple-A the past few years. What have you seen from him since you recalled him a few weeks ago?
Your season hasn’t gone the way you planned. What has been your club’s downfall this year?
For Dave Lowitzki, you’ve only been on the job a few weeks, but what are your impressions of the Rangers thus far?
Jurrickson Profar looks as if he’ll be out until August. Who will replace him on the roster?
Do you have any plans to change any bullpen rolls now that you’ve had a chance to analyze the team?
TRIVIA: Which GM has the most wins in PBA history without a division title?
HOU: Jeff Morrison (5-7, 4.13)
TEX: Esteban Valadez (8-3, 4.23)
Astros 5 Key Stats
11: Home Runs for Yoshitomo Tsutsugo. Tsutsugo will miss time with a sore shoulder, meaning Houston will need to replace one of its three hitters with double digit home runs. Tsutsugo is only hitting .216, but with a strong walk rate, he’s been one of the team’s better hitters.
65: Errors committed by Houston, most in the AL. Dansby Swanson has been the worst culprit with a whopping 22 errors committed this year. Swanson had been a solid enough defender until this year, and had never committed more than 25 homers in a season. He’s been rough offensively, but his defensive struggled have been equally disappointing to an Astros team that has depended on him.
.898: Ajani Dimanche’s OPS. Dimanche spent most of 2026 in the minors, but has returned to full-time starting with a bang. His .260 average is the best mark of his career, and it’s allowed his power to play up. Dimanche already has 24 home runs and 58 RBIs. He once slugged 38 homers, so big long ball totals aren’t new to him, but this could be his first season with over 100 RBIs.
9.39: Antonio Santillan’s ERA. Santillan had a huge season in 2026, with a 0.89 ERA and 41 Saves. Coming off a torn tendon in his elbow, he was thrust to the majors without a rehab assignment. In 7 games, he’s allowed five walks, a pair of homers, and 10 hits. Still building his stamina, he may have built up enough strength to be an asset today, or he may still be rounding into form, leaving him vulnerable.
.749: Houston’s OPS against righties. Houston has a .649 OPS against lefties, meaning they’ll be better served facing Texas’ rotation, which contains five right-handed starters. Alex Claudio and Dan O’Rourke will likely pitch today against Houston’ lefty-dominated lineup. Despite that, Houston has faced the Rangers in Texas for six games this season—and lost five of them.
Rangers 5 Key Stats
5.46: Texas’ starting pitching ERA: The Rangers used to be a pitching factory, but have struggled this year. Even last year’s Cy Young award winner, Esteban Valdez, has scuffled with a 4.23 ERA. Valdez hasn’t allowed many walks or homers so the high ERA appears fluky, but he hasn’t been the dominant force he was last year.
3: Games this season where Dan O’Rourke has allowed a run. Pencil face has been dominant, not allowing a home run, striking out 36, and working to a 0.36 ERA. Lefties are hitting .102 without an extra base off him, helping him strand 91% of inherited runners. With the Astros featuring a number of lefties, O’Rourke will likely be unleashed today.
9: Wins in 11 games for Texas in July. The Rangers struggled to close June, but showed that they’re still down for a playoff run with a hot start to July. Texas avoided a sweep to start the month in Detroit, took two of three from winning teams in Tampa and Minnesota, and swept the Angels. With an easy stretch to close the month, as well as games against Seattle, Texas can change their playoff positioning radically with a strong month.
5: Triples for Raimfer Salinas. Salinas continues to expand his game every year, and is a true All-Star. He’s hitting .314, a career best, while shattering his career OBP mark with a .354 number. Salinas’ 14 home runs put him on pace to produce career norms, but he’s compensated by putting up five triples. That number ties his career best. He’s also cut his strikeout rate to 16.6%, easily a career best. Salinas has always been a Gold Glove defender and a hitter with upside. Now, he’s one of the best Center Fielders in baseball.
.798: Ghi-Cheng Der’s OPS allowed to lefties. Der has been wild against lefties, with a 12.4% walk rate. He’s also allowed five home runs to lefties this year. Texas may be able to get to the 9th, but Der will need to be on point against a lineup that can hit righties.
Questions for the GMs:
For Neil Ehm, Yoshitomo Tsutsugo will be out for a few weeks. Who will replace him on the roster and in Left field today?
Quasimodo Romero came up way too early, and has been marinating in Triple-A the past few years. What have you seen from him since you recalled him a few weeks ago?
Your season hasn’t gone the way you planned. What has been your club’s downfall this year?
For Dave Lowitzki, you’ve only been on the job a few weeks, but what are your impressions of the Rangers thus far?
Jurrickson Profar looks as if he’ll be out until August. Who will replace him on the roster?
Do you have any plans to change any bullpen rolls now that you’ve had a chance to analyze the team?
TRIVIA: Which GM has the most wins in PBA history without a division title?
