The Houston Astros snapped their 4-game skid with a dramatic 8-7 win in extras over the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday. They will carry that momentum to Arlington tonight when they open a 4-game set with the Texas Rangers. Houston has dominated Texas in recent years and are expected to turn to lefty Framber Valdez to throw strikes. Valdez is off to a 1-1 start with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP but don’t let the mediocre numbers sway you. This guy can throw flames. Texas is expected to counter with Dane Dunning who is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA, a WHIP of 1.89, and he is a dismal 0-1 in his career against Houston, with an elevated 7.50 ERA. The Astros are 5-2 in their last 7 in Arlington and are catching a Rangers team that is just 1-5 in their last 6 at home.
TONIGHT’S PICK: HOUSTON ASTROS