Florida @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 1, 2011 ) Florida 5, Texas 15

THE STORY: The Texas Rangers started a 10-game homestand leading into the All-Star break on the right foot when they hit a season-high for runs in a 15-5 victory Friday against the Florida Marlins. The host Rangers will try to keep it up - and keep a hold on their spot atop the American League West - when the three-game series continues Saturday.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS Florida, FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Brad Hand (0-3, 3.45 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Derek Holland (6-3, 4.68). The Marlins recalled Hand from Double A Jacksonville to make his first major league start since June 17. Hand didn't have much luck in his first stint in the majors, losing all three of his starts, but he didn't get much help. The Marlins scored two runs in his three outings. Holland has lost two of his last three starts, including the most recent one Sunday against the Mets in which he allowed seven runs (three earned) over six innings. Since throwing his first shutout of the season June 4 against Cleveland, Holland is 1-2 with a 5.61 ERA in four starts.

ABOUT THE MARLINS (36-46): Florida was happy to say goodbye to June after going 5-23 during the month, but the positive momentum from winning the last two games of the month didn't carry over into July. The 15 runs allowed matched a season high, and the offense was awfully quiet until scoring three runs in the ninth. Hand took the roster spot of reliever Ryan Webb, who went on the disabled list with tightness in his shoulder.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (44-39): The No. 3 scoring team in the American League was in top form Friday a day after getting shut out at Houston. Nelson Cruz matched a career-high with six RBIs in Friday's outburst - on his 31st birthday - and Adrian Beltre had four RBIs, giving him 18 in his past 21 games. Cruz has four home runs in his past six games.

FINAL PITCH: The Marlins haven't scored more than five runs in their past 17 games, averaging 2.5 runs during that stretch. They averaged 4.1 runs in their previous 65 games and topped five runs 17 times during that span.