TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION THURSDAY, AUGUST 5TH
#916 TEXAS with Howard (-105) over LA Angels with Bundy at 2:05 PM EST
Off back-to-back home losses to the Halos, look for the Rangers to close out their homestand with a solid victory on Thursday afternoon. Los Angeles has won three straight only once since early July and manager Joe Maddon’s troops will be in trouble in this setting.
Making his first start for Texas since coming over from Philadelphia will be young right-hander Spencer Howard. With 11 appearances in the books in 2021 including seven starts, No. 31 was tapped for 18 earned runs and 25 hits in 28.1 innings of work. Howard whiffed 31 and walked 17 on his way to an 0-2 mark and a 5.72 ERA. Spencer was the No. 1 prospect in the Philly organization when the season started, and his potential is off the charts. Given a true shot by the Rangers, Spencer will take the mound with a ton of confidence and make a statement in this battle.
Struggling right-hander Dylan Bundy will hit the hump for the Halos. In a rare start on July 29th against the A’s, No. 37 was slapped for three earned runs and two hits in 4.1 innings. Bundy struck out two, walked four, and was tagged with the loss in Oakland’s 4-0 shutout victory. To make matters worse, in 19 appearances this season (15 starts), Dylan has been dunked for 55 earned runs and 78 hits in 74.1 frames. That’s bad enough for a 1-8 record and a stiff 6.66 ERA.
Technically speaking, this is going to be a tough spot for Angels. Los Angeles has dropped seven of its last 10 when coming off a win, 14 of its last 19 when battling division foes, and four of its last five when playing in the fourth game of a series. On the other side of Globe Life Field, Texas has quietly cashed five of its last seven when facing a foe that scored two runs or less last.
Even though the Rangers have struggled on foreign soil, manager Chris Woodward’s boys have been competitive in their own backyard. Take Texas with Howard. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
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