NewsRed-hot Rangers bound for Motown
Texas (23-14) at Detroit (20-16), 6:05 p.m. CT
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
05/17/09 7:29 PM ET
ARLINGTON -- The Rangers are through with their American League West opponents for a couple of weeks. They now face a new challenge while enjoying their 4 1/2 game lead in the division. They get to face another first-place team when they open up a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night at Comerica Park. The Tigers have a one-game lead in the American League Central after sweeping the Athletics this weekend. "It doesn't get any easier," Rangers outfielder Marlon Byrd said. "A first-place team, expectations are going to be up again. We're trying to gain some separation between ourselves and the teams in our division, so we have to go up there and keep doing what we've been doing, as far as pitching and defense." The Tigers have won three straight and nine of their last 15 games. They also swept the Rangers in a three-game series at Comerica in the first week of the season. The Rangers also went into that series flying high after sweeping the Indians in the opening series of the season. The Tigers have also won eight straight at home against the Rangers going back to last season. "For some reason, we don't play well up there," second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "But we've been playing very good baseball, so it's very important for us to go up there and continue to do that." Pitching matchupTEX: RHP Brandon McCarthy (3-1, 5.92 ERA)
McCarthy is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts in May. He went seven innings in his last start, his longest of the season, and the Rangers won, 6-5, in extra innings. He is 1-1 with an 8.40 ERA on the road with opponents hitting .355 off him. Overall, for the season, left-handed hitters are batting .315 off him while right-handed hitters are batting .219. He is 1-2 with a 5.11 ERA in 11 games, including four starts, in his career against the Tigers. DET: LHP Dontrelle Willis (0-0, 7.71 ERA)
The statistics from Willis' return to the big leagues weren't encouraging, as he allowed four runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings against the Twins last Wednesday at the Metrodome. The actual pitching was better than that, and it gave the Tigers a chance to win. He threw 53 of his 87 pitches for strikes, and both of his walks came on close calls with 3-2 counts. He not only changed speeds, but showed an ability to bust pitches inside on right-handed hitters with a fastball that consistently hit the low 90s. Willis picked up a no-decision last September at Texas, where he gave up three runs on two hits over five innings with five walks. Tidbits
Rangers starter Scott Feldman is winless in his last 13 starts at home. ... Jason Jennings' win in relief on Sunday was his first victory since July 24, 2007, while with the Astros. ... Rangers starters are 12-3 with a 3.25 ERA in their last 22 games. They have a 2.88 ERA in May. Tickets
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• 105.3 The Fan, KFLC 1270 (Español) Up next
• Wednesday: Rangers (Matt Harrison, 4-2, 4.23) at Tigers (Justin Verlander, 3-2, 4.29), 6:05 p.m. CT
• Thursday: Rangers (Kevin Millwood, 4-3, 2.93) at Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 3-2, 2.42), 12:05 p.m. CT
• Friday: Rangers (Vicente Padilla, 3-2, 4.71) at Astros (Felipe Paulino, 1-3, 6.93), 7:05 p.m. CT
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
