Kumar Rocker has a 16 ERA in the first 3 innings on the road this season. Gulp. Muggy on the East Coast and ball should travel. Pirates dont have a great lineup but this kid starter looks overwhelmed outside of his big home park. Rangers starting to hit the ball much better - which seemed inevitable - and Mitch Keller starts to wilt second time through lineup. After being a dead under team all season, Rangers are over in 3 of 4 on road. Look a Pirates to score in 1st 3 innings and both teams to score 2+ runs in first 5 innings as well.
The tightest market on today’s MLB slate involves the Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates. Mitch Keller has been winless at home on the season with an 0-6 record, and 11 of his last 12 starts the Pirates have lost. A main reason for that is the Pirates have scored two runs or less in eight straight starts involving Keller. That changes today as Kumar Rocker has been hit hard in his four road starts. Take the Pirates.
Ashcraft (12-5) earned the win in a complete game Thursday against the Marlins, allowing a run on three hits and a walk. He struck out 10.
Flores went 2-for-5 with a pair of home runs and six total RBI in Thursday's 13-1 win over Miami.
The Rangers outrighted Bride to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Lopez (shoulder) struck out four and allowed one hit and no walks over two scoreless innings in relief for Double-A Frisco on Wednesday after being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.
The Pirates optioned Sisk to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
The Pirates recalled Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
The Pirates recalled Brannigan from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
The Pirates placed Rodriguez on the 10-day injured list Thursday with left hip inflammation.
Simon is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Miami.
Rodriguez (hip) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game in Miami.
