Texas @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 17, 2012 ) Texas 2, Toronto 3

A bizarre situation has kept Ryan Dempster from pitching in his native Canada. His absence provides a fellow veteran hurler with a second chance, as Roy Oswalt makes the fill-in start Saturday afternoon when the Texas Rangers resume their weekend series with the host Toronto Blue Jays. Oswalt, who has been a major bust since signing with the Rangers, makes his first start in nearly three weeks with Dempster on the restricted list after reportedly misplacing his passport.

With one pitcher stuck at home and another looking to regain his form of seasons past, the Rangers may need an offensive surge to even the series following Friday's 3-2 loss. That won't be easy, as Texas squares off against Blue Jays right-hander Carlos Villanueva. A man without a defined role earlier in the season, Villanueva has thrived since being thrust into a starting spot as Toronto continues to deal with a glut of injuries. Villanueva looks to follow up on a strong showing from J.A. Happ in Friday's series opener.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, FSH (Texas), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Roy Oswalt (4-2, 6.53 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Carlos Villanueva (6-2, 3.12)

Oswalt was a pivotal part of the Philadelphia Phillies' run to the 2010 National League Championship Series. Less than two seasons later, the 34-year-old is scrambling to regain the starting role he lost when Dempster was acquired by the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. His last outing didn't help his case, as he was tagged for four runs in just 1 1/3 innings against the Boston Red Sox on Aug. 8. Oswalt's lone start against Toronto was a complete-game two-hit shutout back on June 12, 2005 while he was with Houston.

It may not matter how many of Toronto's injured pitchers return to action before the end of the season - Villanueva's rotation spot appears safe. The 28-year-old has allowed three runs or fewer in seven of his eight outings since being made a starter June 29. He was sensational last time out but had to settle for a no-decision despite limiting the Chicago White Sox to a run on five hits over seven innings. Villanueva has made seven appearances against Texas, going 1-0 with a 3.26 ERA over 19 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas comes in having dropped four of five while scoring a total of six runs in the losses.

2. Villanueva is perfect at the Rogers Centre this season, going 4-0 with a 2.72 ERA in five starts and 11 relief appearances.

3. The Rangers have won four of six meetings between the clubs so far in 2012.