ARLINGTON, Texas-- The Texas Rangers continue their six-game homestand with their final series of the year against the rival Houston Astros. The first game of this three-game series, which will decide the winner of the Silver Boot trophy, features RHP Yu Darvish vs. RHP Jordan Lyles at 7:05 p.m. on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM and TXA-21. A quick look at the matchup:

Darvish (7-4, 3.72): The 25-year-old leads the Rangers in strikeouts with 77. ... His seven wins are second most on the Rangers pitching staff and he has allowed the fewest hits of any active Rangers starter (66) through 72.2 innings pitched. ... He also leads the Rangers in walks with 44. ... He has seen his production slide in recent starts as he is on a two-game losing streak, posting a 6.17 ERA through 11.2 innings in June. ... His ERA has steadily increased each month by about two runs (2.18 in April, 4.50 in May, 6.17 in June). ... He is 5-0 at home with a 3.38 ERA through 32 innings. ... He has never faced the Astros.

Lyles (1-2, 5.40): The 21-year-old has only started six games this year, allowing 37 hits and 14 walks through 33.1 innings. ... He has had his lowest ERA in road games, posting a 5.06 ERA through four starts and 21.1 innings compared to a 6.00 ERA at home. ... He pitched 4.1 innings in his last start against the White Sox, allowing seven hits, five runs and three walks with no strikeouts. ... His first loss came in his start against the Rangers in May, when he posted a 5.29 ERA, allowing nine hits (one home run) and three walks. ... He has never beaten the Rangers, getting credit for two losses in three starts (Astros lost all three starts).

Hitters: Darvish has never faced an Astros hitter. ... Ranger hitters are 19-for-63 against Lyles, including four home runs. ... Josh Hamilton is 4-for-7 with a home run and a walk. ... Ian Kinsler is 3-for-8 with two RBIs and four walks. ... Michael Young is 3-for-9 with one home run and two strikeouts. ... Adrian Beltre is 1-for-9 with a strikeout.



Up Next:

Sat. vs. Hou.: RHP Justin Grimm vs. RHP Lucas Harrell (6-4, 4.83), 6:15 p.m., ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM, FOX.

Sun. vs. Hou.: RHP Colby Lewis (5-5, 3.13) vs. RHP Bud Norris (5-4, 4.81), 2:05 p.m., ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM, FSSW.