Bryan Power

10* Under Rangers/Astros (2:10 ET): The Astros are going for a three-game sweep here, but to do so they'll have to go through Lance Lynn, who has been the most effective starter this season on the Rangers' staff. Truthfully, he's been one of the better pitchers in the entire American League. Not only is he tied first in wins (12), but he's top five in innings pitched (128) and top eight in strikeouts (140). With a solid history against Houston (1.90 ERA in nine career appearances), I feel he'll be able to keep the Houston lineup in check. As for the Rangers offensively, I don't expect much either. Thus, I'm on the Under here. 

This has been a crushing series to the Rangers, who have now lost six in a row and are 50-48 for the year. They're one of nine teams in the American League currently over .500, but have fallen 6.5 games off the pace in the Wild Card chase. One of the biggest issues has been a lack of offense. They've scored only four runs in this series and just 20 total during the six-game slide. Over the L7 games, they're hitting a collective .189. The one positive here is clearly Lynn, who blanked Houston for seven innings when he faced them right after the All-Star Break. He had 11 strikeouts in that game, a 5-0 Texas win, as well.

Houston's pitching staff seems to be in rough shape, but they got a strong outing from Jose Urquidy yesterday. Texas had only two hits the entire game, one of them an infield single, and 20 of the first 21 batters went back to the dugout. That's encouraging for Rogelio Armenteros, who gets his first start for the 'Stros this afternoon. Armenteros did throw four shutout innings of relief on Tuesday, but will be making his first big league start here. I'm not concerned as Houston has a strong slew of relievers to back him up (if need be) here. 10* Under Rangers/Astros

10* Cincinnati (1:10 ET): The Reds finally got a win in this series by rallying for a 3-2 decision last night. They'd blown leads in each of the first two games, which is somewhat emblematic of the frustrating season that's taken place here in the Queen City as the team is +29 in run differential, yet eight games below .500 and in last place in the Central. The Reds' gap between actual and expected wins right now is -7, making them the biggest underachievers in baseball (at least relative to their run diff). But I think they are certainly capable of earning a series split w/ their mediocre division rival. Take 'em Sunday. 

The Cardinals' Jack Flaherty has been much more effective at home than on the road this season. So that makes him a prime candidate to fade in this spot as he gets the starting nod Sunday. While Flaherty has a 3.22 ERA and 0.937 WHIP at Busch Stadium, those numbers jump to 5.96 and 1.544 on the road where he has a 3-6 TSR. What's interesting w/ Flaherty is that overall he was 4-3 his first nine starts, but is winless (0-3) over his L10. Yet his ERA is pretty much the same in those two stretches. He did throw seven shutout innings vs. Cincinnati back on April 28th, but that was at home.

It's also been awhile since Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani got a win. But in his case, he's long overdue considering he's allowed 3 ER or less in six of his last seven starts. The one bad one was on the road. DeSclafani did go 3-1 w/ a 3.08 ERA in June and has typically pitched very well against the Cardinals in his career. He's 6-2 w/ a 3.32 ERA against them in 13 career appearances. Though the Reds have struggled in day games this year, I think the Cardinals' problems on the road (Flaherty specifically) overrides that. 10* Cincinnati