Toronto @ Texas preview
Choctaw Stadium
Last Meeting ( Apr 28, 2011 ) Toronto 5, Texas 2
THE STORY: Having dropped two straight after their 12-game win streak, the first-place Texas Rangers open a three-game series Friday against the surging Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto has won eight of 10 to move over .500 and is averaging over seven runs a game during that stretch. Texas and Toronto are among the American League’s top four offensive clubs. Texas ranks second with 489 runs scored despite getting shut out Thursday by the Los Angeles Angels. Toronto sits fourth with 469.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, TXA-21, SNET
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Colby Lewis (9-7, 4.07 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Jo-Jo Reyes (5-7, 4.94 ERA)
Lewis opened the second half by pitching 8 2/3 shutout innings against the Seattle Mariners. Current Blue Jays are hitting .305 against him, with outfielder Rajai Davis going 6-for-16 (.375). In seven career appearances against Toronto, Lewis is 2-4 with an 8.80 ERA.
Reyes was tagged for two homers and seven earned runs by the New York Yankees in his last start. He’s given up at least four earned runs in five of his last seven outings. Opponents are batting .303 against him, banging out 132 hits in 105 2/3 innings.
ABOUT THE RANGERS (56-43): Slumping right fielder Nelson Cruz was back in the lineup Thursday against the Angels - and his day off on Wednesday seemed to help. Cruz went 2-for-4 to break out of a 6-for-37 slide. Texas, which leads the Angels by three games in the AL West, has reason for concern in the bullpen. The Rangers have blown 14 saves, third-most in the American League. After playing brilliant defense during the 12-game win streak, Texas made two errors in its last two losses, leading to three unearned runs.
ABOUT THE BLUE JAYS (50-49): Jose Bautista, who leads the majors with 31 homers and is tied for eighth with 68 RBIs, started his third straight game at designated hitter in Thursday's 7-5 win over Seattle. He had missed the previous three games with a sore right ankle. However, Bautista is expected back at third base on Friday. The Blue Jays are glad this entire series will be played at night - they’re 36-24 in night games, 14-25 in day games.
FINAL PITCH: Toronto took three of four in Texas in late April. The Rangers will visit the Blue Jays next weekend.