The Texas Rangers (1-0) look to continue their three-game playoff winning-streak today, in the ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles at 3:07 CT. Texas' three-game playoff winning-streak have all come on the road. Yesterday, the Rangers got a bullpen game win, despite coming in second in MLB in blown saves with 33, and fifth in losses in relief with 34.
In game one, the Rangers were provided a stellar pitching performance by both Andrew Heaney and Dane Dunning as well as the bullpen. At the plate the team was led by a sixth inning home run by rookie third baseman Josh Jung. Jung also had a crucial defensive play to start a double play in the eighth inning.
Texas Rangers hand the ball to Jordan Montgomery for ALDS Game 2
Left hander Jordan Montgomery (1-0 0.00 ERA) will get the nod for the Rangers in today's game and Grayson Rodriguez (0-0 0.00 ERA) will start for the Orioles. Over the last 14 days, Montgomery is sporting a 0.69 ERA. Due to his start in the ALWC, he has lowered his career playoff ERA to 0.66 in 13 2/3 innings pitched.
Rodriguez went 7-4 with a 4.35 ERA on the regular season and he went 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA in two starts against Texas. He has had two different parts of the season. In the first half, he went 2-2 with a 7.35 ERA and in the second half went 5-2 with a 2.58 ERA. His ERA in the month of September was 2.17 and he went 3-1. Rodriguez has not faced the Rangers since May 26th, in which he gave up eight earned runs in 3 1/3 innings pitched. That game was played in Baltimore, where today's contest will also take place.
One issue the Rangers do face is the slumping bat of second baseman Marcus Semien. In this postseason he has had 14 at-bats, and he has just one hit. The only positive in this, is the fact that the Rangers lineup is getting hits throughout the whole batting order. However, it will still be important for Semien to get things going as the playoffs continue.
Tidbits for the Game 2 of the ALDS:
Game time: 3:07p.m. CDT
Location: Orioles Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland.
Television: FS1
Radio: 1080-KRLD/1270 KFLC-AM (Spanish), ESPN Radio