​Tonight’s game features the Astros and Rangers continuing their heated rivalry in Arlington, Texas, as they play the middle clash of a three-game weekend series at Globe Life Field. Houston will hand the ball to right-hander Peter Lambert (7-5), who has been the Astros’ most reliable starter this season, opposing right-hander Kumar Rocker (2-7) for the Rangers.
Lambert, who signed with the club as a minor league free agent in the offseason, has been riding a hot stretch. In his last eight starts dating back to May 24, he’s gone 5-1 with a 3.02 ERA (15 earned runs in 44.2 innings), a mark that ties him for second in the American League in wins over that span. Lambert isn’t new to the spotlight, having spent part of last season in Japan with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, where he posted a 3.98 ERA (55 earned in 124.1 innings) across 23 starts and struck out 111.
This series is part of the Silver Boot rivalry, and the Astros have already taken five of the first eight meetings with the Rangers this season, including a three-of-four series win in Arlington from May 25–28. Since the 2017 season, Houston has dominated this head-to-head matchup, going 98-54 against Texas and either winning or splitting nine straight season series.
All three games in this weekend set will be carried on the Space City Home Network, with Kevin Eschenfelder, Geoff Blum, and Lauren Callender providing the telecast analysis. Shelby Coppedge and Brian Bogusevic will host the pre- and postgame coverage from the Space City Home Network studio.
In charitable news, the Astros Foundation organized a highly successful relief effort last week to assist Venezuela after a devastating earthquake on June 24. Through a collaboration of the foundation, various partners, and countless Astros fans, the drive collected 115 pallets of supplies—including non-perishable food, household necessities, and hygiene products—destined for distribution in Venezuela.
Meanwhile, Houston’s season has begun to pick up momentum after a slow start. The club has gone 26-19 since May 21, the best record in the American League over that span. That improvement followed a low point on May 21, when the Astros stood 20-31, 11 games under .500—their worst stretch of the year to that point.
Road trips have also been a bright spot, as Houston has gone 16-11 on its last four road trips combined and sits at 22-17 on the road since a rough 1-9 start on the season’s opening road swing. The club has won four of its last six road series dating back to May 22, underscoring the team’s growing steadiness away from home.
On the draft front, Day 1 of the MLB Draft (Rounds 1–4) unfolded earlier today with the Astros selecting outfielder Logan Hughes from Texas Tech with the 17th overall pick in the first round. After Hughes, Houston has five more picks today: the PPI selection (Round 1 bonus pick) at No. 28, Round 2 at No. 57, Round 3 at No. 93, Round 4 at No. 121, and a compensation pick at No. 133.
Game details for Saturday: Saturday, July 11, 6:05 p.m. CT, at Globe Life Field in Arlington. TV coverage will be on Space City Home Network. Radio broadcasts will be available on KBME 790 AM and 94.5 FM HD2, with Spanish-language coverage on TUDN 102.9 FM HD2. The Astros’ lineup includes shortstop Jeremy Peña and left fielder Yordan Álvarez, among others, as they look to continue their winning ways and climb higher in the crowded AL standings.