Toronto @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2011 ) Toronto 4, Texas 5

THE STORY: The Texas Rangers are back to their winning ways, and have their hottest starter on the mound for Sunday's series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays. Alexi Ogando looks for his 11th win of the season, and his fourth in a row. He'll be opposed by Toronto lefty Brett Cecil, who has had it rough against the Rangers in his career.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet, Fox Sports Houston

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Brett Cecil (2-4, 5.59 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Alexi Ogando (10-3, 2.72 ERA)

Cecil has only made two career starts against Texas, but he would probably like to forget them both. The 25-year-old has surrendered 15 runs on 17 hits in just seven career innings versus Texas, including a start in May 2009 that saw him exit after allowing eight runs in two frames. Cecil is coming off a no-decision against the Seattle Mariners.

Since struggling for two weeks in June, Ogando has regained his spot as one of the top pitchers in the American League. The 27-year-old is coming off one of his strongest outings of the year, tossing eight scoreless innings in a 7-0 rout of the Los Angeles Angels. Ogando has made one start against Toronto, earning a no-decision after allowing two runs over six frames.

ABOUT THE BLUE JAYS (50-51): Few Toronto fans were familiar with Eric Thames' work prior to the start of the season - but they are now. Thames has been one of the biggest surprises in the American League this season, coming out of nowhere to become the Blue Jays' regular right fielder. A 40th-round pick of the New York Yankees in 2007, Thames has shown promise with the bat - hitting .302 on the season - and good instincts in the field. He doubled, tripled and scored twice in Saturday's loss and is batting .307 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 19 games in July. The Blue Jays as a team are a collective 6-for-26 against Ogando.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (58-43): Texas has won 14 of its last 16 games, and will likely make things difficult for Cecil on Sunday. The Rangers are a collective .359 against the southpaw, with Nelson Cruz having done the most damage. The man who posted a career-high eight RBIs in Friday's one-sided victory is 2-for-4 lifetime against Cecil, but his hits were a three-run double and a grand slam. Texas, which leads the American League with a 33-18 home mark, continues its seven-game stand at the Ballpark with four games against the Minnesota Twins before hitting the road beginning Friday in Toronto.

FINAL PITCH: The Rangers will play without third baseman Adrian Beltre, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list prior to Saturday's game with a strained hamstring. Beltre leads the team with 76 RBIs.