The two Texas-based teams are battling in the Lone Star state this week with a lot on the line when it comes to the American League playoff positioning. The Astros have been leading the American League West for most of the year, but were recently caught and passed by the Seattle Mariners. The Astros are now in second place in the division. Houston is half a game back of Seattle, and leading the third place Texas Rangers by three games.
The fact that the Astros and Rangers are both in playoff contention at the moment is extremely surprising. That is because the Rangers are being pummelled with injuries. Among the Rangers players out for the season include starting pitchers Nathan Eovaldi (shoulder), Cody Bradford (elbow), center fielder Evan Carter (wrist), and reliever Josh Sborz (shoulder). Meanwhile the two top middle infielders on the Rangers are also out for approximately one more week. Marcus Semien has a foot problem, and Corey Seager is out with appendicitis.
However, the Rangers have still won six of their last seven games before losing 6-3 to the Astros on Monday. While Houston has struggled lately, they could get some significant momentum from Monday’s three-run home win. One player responsible for Houston’s home victory was rookie outfielder Zach Cole of Ozark, Missouri. Sometimes you need unexpected players to come up in the clutch. Cole accomplished just that, as he hit a two run blast to put Houston up 4-3. Cole has two home runs in his first four Major League games, and could see more playing time coming up as Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez left Monday’s game with a sprained ankle.
