Texas @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 2, 2011 ) Texas 5, Detroit 6

THE STORY: The Texas Rangers introduced one of their big trade deadline acquisitions in Tuesday’s series opener and had to be a little disappointed with the results. The Detroit Tigers are hoping to have a bit more success when they introduce their big deadline acquisition to the home fans. The Rangers and Tigers are working with a small margin for error in their respective divisions and are hoping the new blood will help them widen the gap. Doug Fister will make his first start for host Detroit on Wednesday.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Doug Fister (3-12, 3.33 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Matt Harrison (9-7, 2.94).

Fister was acquired in a deal with the Seattle Mariners over the weekend and goes from being backed by the worst offense in the majors to one of the best. The 27-year-old had the lowest run support among qualified pitchers in the majors with the anemic Mariners attack behind him. Fister lost to the Rangers on July 15 and owns a 1-3 career mark with a 4.78 ERA against Texas. Harrison has allowed one or zero earned runs in six of his last nine starts, including Thursday against Minnesota when he scattered eight hits over 7 1/3 innings to earn a win. The 25-year-old lefthander went 3-0 in five July starts and issued only three walks in 35 1/3 innings during the month. Harrison lost to Detroit on June 7, allowing four runs - three earned - in four innings. He is 1-3 with a 7.11 ERA in his career against the Tigers.

ABOUT THE TIGERS (58-51): Detroit has been scuffling along at 5-5 over its last 10 games but has not seen its lead in the American League Central decrease because the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox have not taken advantage. Signs are pointing toward a breakout for the Tigers, however, as an emotional victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday carried over into Tuesday, when the team refused to quit despite blowing a late lead. With a driving rain storm threatening to delay the game in the eighth, Brennan Boesch took a 1-2 pitch from Mike Adams and lined it into the right field seats to put Detroit back on top. That capped a three-hit night for Boesch, who has a pair of multi-hit games against the Angels as well. Alex Avila added a homer among three RBIs on Tuesday - his first blast since June 27.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (61-49): The acquisitions of Adams and Koji Uehara in separate deals seemed to shore up Texas’ biggest hole - its bullpen. But Adams’ hanging cutter Tuesday marked only the third home run the righthander has allowed in 49 total innings this season. One of the most dominant relievers in the National League prior to the trade, Tuesday’s loss was likely just a blip for Adams. More troubling is the Rangers dropping five of their last seven games to let the Angels back into the race in the AL West. Derek Holland and Harrison were the only two starters to put up quality turns the last time through the rotation.

FINAL PITCH: To make room for David Pauley, who came over as part of the Fister trade, Detroit designated left-handed reliever David Purcey for assignment. Purcey, who came over from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for second baseman Scott Sizemore earlier in the season, posted a 7.23 ERA in 19 appearances for the Tigers while walking 20 batters in 18 2/3 total innings.