Rangers at Tigers
The Texas Rangers are unbeaten (5-0-3) in their last eight series and can clinch another win when they continue a three-game set at the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. Every starter had at least one hit as the Rangers took the opener 5-3 on Tuesday night for their third consecutive victory.
Ronald Guzman homered and added a sacrifice fly while Elvis Andrus went 2-for-5 with a run scored as Texas improved to 10-6 on the road since the middle of May after beginning 5-15 away from home. Jesse Chavez and three relievers held the Tigers to six hits in the series opener, sending the Tigers to their fifth straight loss. Mike Minor, who entered the week second in the American League in ERA at 2.52, will try to keep Detroit's bats quiet when he starts Wednesday for the Rangers. Fellow left-hander Matthew Boyd gets the nod for the Tigers, who have also dropped five in a row at home.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Mike Minor (7-4, 2.52 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (5-5, 3.61)
Minor's phenomenal first half continued with eight solid innings in a win over Cleveland on Thursday, which left him 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in four June starts. He has allowed three runs or fewer in 11 consecutive starts. Nicholas Castellanos has a home run and a single in five at-bats against the 31-year-old Minor, who is 0-2 with a 6.63 ERA in his career against the Tigers.
Boyd remained winless in four June starts after giving up five runs over six innings at Cleveland on Friday. He served up a career high-tying three home runs in that contest and has allowed six over his last three outings. The Oregon State product was rocked for seven runs across four innings against the Rangers last season and is 1-5 with a 6.54 ERA in six career matchups.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers CF Joey Gallo (oblique) went 1-for-4 with an RBI on Tuesday in his return from the injured list.
2. Tigers CF JaCoby Jones is 9-for-21 with five extra-base hits during a five-game hitting streak.
3. Texas RF Nomar Mazara has recorded exactly two hits in each of his last four games and boasts seven RBIs in that stretch.