Boston @ Texas props

The leading projection system (THE BAT) profiles Globe Life Field as the 2nd-worst stadium in the league for RHB base hits. The 6th-deepest centerfield fences in MLB are found in Globe Life Field. Tanner Houck will have the handedness advantage against Marcus Semien today... and it's an over-sized mismatch considering Houck's huge platoon split. Marcus Semien has taken a step back with his Barrel% lately; his 5.9% seasonal rate has fallen off to 0% over the last 7 days. Based on Statcast metrics, the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected Batting Average (.241) suggests that Marcus Semien has been lucky this year with his .278 actual batting average.

In the last 14 days, Connor Wong has significantly improved the launch angle on his hardest-contacted balls: 31.2° compared to his seasonal mark of 16°. Grading out in the 82nd percentile, Connor Wong has posted a .334 BABIP this year.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Alex Verdugo in the 88th percentile when assessing his batting average talent. Alex Verdugo is penciled in 1st in the batting order today. Alex Verdugo will receive the benefit of the platoon advantage against Nathan Eovaldi in today's game. Alex Verdugo has recorded a .269 Expected Batting Average this year, checking in at the 75th percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s interpretation of Statcast data.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Evan Carter in the 77th percentile when assessing his BABIP talent. Evan Carter will have the handedness advantage over Tanner Houck in today's matchup... and even more favorably, Houck has a huge platoon split. Evan Carter will benefit from the home field advantage in today's matchup, which should boost all of his stats. Over the past 14 days, Evan Carter has averaged an impressive 102.4-mph exit velocity on his flyballs, an advanced indicator of home run potential.

Luis Urias's ability to hit the ball at a HR-maximizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) has gotten better lately, increasing from 16.5% on the season to 25% in the last two weeks. Luis Urias has exhibited impressive plate discipline this year, grading out in the 80th percentile with a 1.96 K/BB rate.

Trevor Story's average launch angle on his hardest-contacted balls of late (28.5° in the last two weeks) is significantly better than his 17.3° seasonal figure. Compared to last season, Trevor Story has improved his ability to hit the ball at a launch angle ideal for base hits, increasing his percentage of balls hit between -4° and 26° from 41.4% to 48.7% this season. As it relates to his wOBA and overall offense, Trevor Story has suffered from bad luck this year. His .227 rate falls considerably below the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Statcast-based Expected wOBA (xwOBA) at .303.

When assessing his overall offensive talent, Adolis Garcia ranks in the 86th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Adolis Garcia will have the benefit of the home field advantage in today's matchup, which ought to boost all of his stats. Based on Statcast data, Adolis Garcia grades out in the 81st percentile for offensive ability via the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected wOBA (xwOBA) this year at .354. This year, Adolis Garcia's 15.3% Barrel%, a reliable metric for measuring power, places him in the 93rd percentile among his peers. Adolis Garcia's 96.2-mph exit velocity on flyballs (a reliable stat to evaluate power) grades out in the 95th percentile this year.

Wilyer Abreu has gone over 0.5 in 4 of his last 10 games.