Rangers look to end 9-game skid, play the Astros

Texas Rangers (58-76, fourth in the AL West) vs. Houston Astros (87-48, first in the AL West)

Houston; Tuesday, 8:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Rangers: Glenn Otto (6-8, 4.82 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 82 strikeouts); Astros: Framber Valdez (14-4, 2.63 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 150 strikeouts)

LINE: Astros -272, Rangers +224; over/under is 7 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Texas Rangers come into the matchup against the Houston Astros after losing nine games in a row.

Houston has an 87-48 record overall and a 44-20 record at home. Astros pitchers have a collective 2.96 ERA, which leads the AL.

Texas is 30-38 in road games and 58-76 overall. The Rangers have a 9-29 record in games decided by one run.

Tuesday's game is the 18th time these teams meet this season. The Astros are ahead 13-4 in the season series.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jose Altuve has 33 doubles and 23 home runs for the Astros. Kyle Tucker is 8-for-34 with two doubles and a home run over the past 10 games.

Nate Lowe ranks second on the Rangers with a .302 batting average, and has 22 doubles, three triples, 23 home runs, 38 walks and 67 RBI. Marcus Semien is 12-for-39 with a home run and four RBI over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Astros: 7-3, .233 batting average, 1.76 ERA, outscored opponents by 15 runs

Rangers: 1-9, .236 batting average, 6.35 ERA, outscored by 28 runs

INJURIES: Astros: Justin Verlander: 15-Day IL (calf), Ryan Pressly: 15-Day IL (neck), Aledmys Diaz: 10-Day IL (groin), Michael Brantley: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Jason Castro: 60-Day IL (knee), Blake Taylor: 60-Day IL (elbow), Josh James: 60-Day IL (lat)

Rangers: Josh Sborz: 60-Day IL (right elbow), Cole Ragans: 15-Day IL (calf), Joe Barlow: 15-Day IL (finger), Spencer Howard: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Jon Gray: 15-Day IL (side), Mitch Garver: 60-Day IL (forearm), Eli White: 60-Day IL (wrist)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.