Detroit @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 22, 2012 ) Texas 3, Detroit 2

Texas has been arguably baseball’s hottest team over the past two weeks, winning eight of its last nine and 11 of 13. The Rangers wrapped up their sixth consecutive interleague series win, beating Colorado on Sunday to finish with a 14-4 record against the National League. Detroit, meanwhile, has been erratic all season but remains just three games back in a tight American League Central after pulling out a 3-2 win at Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon.

The Rangers, who lead the Los Angeles Angels by five games in the AL West, continue to pace the major leagues in most offensive categories, but pitching has fueled the recent surge. Texas has tossed three shutouts this month, allowing just 18 runs in its 12 victories since June 8. Detroit has not been above the .500 mark since May 10, held back primarily by a lack of consistent pitching behind ace Justin Verlander.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports (Detroit), Fox Sports Houston (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Rick Porcello (4-5, 4.95 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Justin Grimm (1-0, 4.50 ERA)

After an up-and-down April, Porcello has settled in to a fairly pedestrian rhythm, allowing either three or four earned runs in seven of his last 10 starts. He was a tough-luck loser in his last outing, falling despite allowing just two runs in seven innings against St. Louis on June 20. Porcello has struggled against Texas, going 1-2 with a 12.27 ERA in three career outings.

Grimm fared reasonably well in winning his major league debut against Houston on June 16, striking out seven without a walk while giving up three runs in six innings of work. He had been pitching well for Double-A Frisco, going 8-3 with a 1.87 ERA and being named a starter in the Texas League All-Star Game. He struck out 67 in 77 innings there, walking 14.

WALK-OFFS:

1. The Rangers won three of four games at Detroit in April, outscoring the Tigers 25-12 in the ALCS rematch. Porcello took a loss in a 10-4 Texas victory on April 21.

2. Texas hitters are a healthy 26-for-57 (.456) against Porcello, led by OF David Murphy (5-for-7, HR, 2 RBIs), 2B Ian Kinsler (4-for-5) and DH Michael Young (4-for-7, 3 RBIs).

3. Detroit is 13-6 in Porcello’s last 19 road starts, but the Rangers have won 37 of their last 53 home games and 18 of their last 24 Monday contests.