Blue Jays at Rangers
Victories have been elusive for the Texas Rangers during their five-game homestand, which has begun with three consecutive losses. The Rangers take another shot at a win when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series.
Texas kicked off its string of home games by losing two meetings with Pittsburgh before dropping a 1-0 decision in 12 innings to Toronto in Friday's series opener. The Rangers recorded only four hits - one by Shin-Soo Choo to extend his hitting streak to eight games - in the setback, which featured a throwing error that allowed the lone run to score. Four different players notched two hits for the Blue Jays, who began their six-game road trip by being swept of a three-game set by the Los Angeles Angels. One of those players was Randal Grichuk, who has gone 12-for-32 during his seven-game hitting streak.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Thomas Pannone (1-2, 5.40 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Lance Lynn (3-2, 5.45)
Pannone will be making his second start of the season and first since April 6, when he surrendered four runs on five hits and two walks over 2 2/3 innings in a loss at Cleveland. The 25-year-old Rhode Islander followed that performance with five straight scoreless relief outings but has yielded five runs over four frames in his last two appearances out of the bullpen. Pannone will be facing Texas for the first time in his brief career.
Lynn has won three of his last four starts, including a triumph at Seattle on Sunday in which he allowed one run and five hits with nine strikeouts over seven innings. The 31-year-old native of Indiana has yielded fewer than three runs in four of his six turns this season and seven or more in each of the other two. Lynn has yet to defeat Toronto in his career, going 0-2 with a 5.73 ERA in four starts and one relief appearance.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers 1B Ronald Guzman (hamstring) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Saturday.
2. Toronto purchased the contract of RHP Derek Law from Triple-A Buffalo and designated INF Alen Hanson for assignment.
3. Texas LHP Drew Smyly (arm) is expected to be activated from the injured list and start Sunday's series finale.