Texas drops a pivotal series opener in Houston as the Astros seize early control with a six-run burst and the Rangers’ late push falls short. Blubaugh’s bullpen-game start stymies Texas early while Merrill Kelly labors through three frames. Cody Freeman’s homer sparks a comeback, Heim’s pinch-hit two-run shot in the eighth fuels a late rally, and García’s first-pitch RBI single keeps the chase alive. Edwards Jr. provides veteran bullpen depth, but Bochy remains wary of García’s health as the Wild Card race tightens.

Texas Rangers sprint to playoff contention with a 6-3 win over Milwaukee to complete the series sweep, buoyed by Jake Burger’s two-homer eruption. Burger’s power surge, paired with Helman’s clutch plays, fuels Texas’ late-season push and extends a season-best run above .500. The win tightens the wild-card landscape as the Rangers sit one game behind Seattle for the final third AL Wild Card berth and two behind Houston in the division.

Milwaukee’s Freddy Peralta was tagged for five runs across five innings, while Merrill Kelly steadied the ship after the opener, and Pederson’s hustle-created runs in the third helped Texas pull away. The Rangers’ recent string of wins over top teams underscores their growing momentum as the regular season winds down.

Meanwhile, the Brewers see the setback while Texas maintains momentum in a tight playoff race, with key performers like Burger, Helman, Pederson, and deGrom guiding Texas toward a potential postseason berth.

Paul Skenes continues to dominate the first time through lineups, hammering an implied under in the Pirates–Orioles matchup. The Baltimore side is the headline under 0.5 runs in F3, with Skenes playing a pivotal role. Freddy Peralta’s heater fuels a Brewers play in a favorable venue, while Merrill Kelly’s recent form tempers Rangers bets on the same under concept. Logan Gilbert at home reinforces a Cardinals–Mariners under trend, and the slate leans toward early unders and careful run suppression.