Minnesota @ Texas preview
Choctaw Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 8, 2012 ) Minnesota 3, Texas 4
The American League West-leading Texas Rangers continue their 10-game homestand Thursday, when they begin a four-game series against the Minnesota Twins. Texas improved to 2-1 on its lengthy stay at home Wednesday with a 12-3 thrashing of Baltimore in which Adrian Beltre hit three home runs - including a pair of two-run shots during a nine-run fourth inning. The Rangers, who maintained their five-game division lead over Oakland, has won four of its last five home contests.
Texas, which has scored 10 or more runs in three of its last five victories, welcomes in a Minnesota team that is 1-5 on its 10-game road trip. The Twins' 5-1 setback at Oakland on Wednesday was their 11th loss in their last 13 overall games. Minnesota, which owns the worst winning percentage (.415) in the AL, has not won a series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington since 2007. After posting a 5-1 victory at Texas on July 6, the Twins lost consecutive one-run decisions to drop the set.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN (Minnesota, Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Scott Diamond (10-5, 2.95 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Roy Oswalt (4-2, 6.04)
Diamond is coming off a no-decision at Seattle on Saturday in which he allowed only two runs in 6 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old Canadian has yielded three runs or less in each of his last five starts but is just 2-1 during that stretch. Diamond, who is 4-3 with a 3.39 ERA in nine road outings, will be facing Texas for the first time in his career.
Oswalt is starting in place of Yu Darvish, who is suffering from tightness in his right quadriceps. The 34-year-old Oswalt made his first start since July 30 on Saturday, allowing one run and two hits over 4 2/3 innings. Oswalt, who is 3-1 with a 5.26 ERA in five home games, held the Twins to one run and five hits in 5 2/3 frames on July 8 but settled for a no-decision.
WALK-OFFS
1. Twins 1B Justin Morneau enters with an 11-game hitting streak.
2. Texas OF David Murphy has recorded multi-hit performances in five of his last seven games, registering three hits a trio of times in that span.
3. Minnesota OF Denard Span is expected to miss his 10th consecutive game with a shoulder injury.