Cleveland @ Texas preview
Choctaw Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 13, 2011 ) Cleveland 4, Texas 10
THE STORY: The Texas Rangers have definitely enjoyed playing the Cleveland Indians this season. Tuesday's 10-4 win gave Texas is seventh win in eight outings against Cleveland going into the second game of their series Wednesday night. David Murphy went 4-for-4 with two solo home runs as the Rangers won for the third time in four games. The Indians are currently 2-3 on their 10-game road trip. Cleveland is tied with the Chicago White Sox for second place in the American League Central.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FSSW (Texas), ESPN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians LH David Huff (2-4, 3.05 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Derek Holland (13-5, 4.12 ERA).
Huff has lost his last two starts, but he received no help from his bullpen against the White Sox on Thursday. He left with two on in the seventh and the game tied 1-1, but Frank Herrmann permoitted a three-run homer to Brent Morel. Josh Judy allowed a grand slam to Paul Konerko later in the inning. Huff pitched the only complete-game victory of his career against Texas on April 15, 2010, when he held the Rangers to two runs and four hits at Progressive Field.
Holland's two starts against Cleveland this season had completely different results. He pitched his only career shutout on June 4, a five-hitter at Progressive Field. Something obviously changed when Holland faced the Indians at home on Aug. 5. He allowed six runs in 1 2/3 innings, including a three-run homer to Carlos Santana in the first. A late rally by the offense saved him from a loss. Holland is 7-1 in his last 12 starts.
ABOUT THE INDIANS (72-73): Shin-Soo Choo, who is on the disabled list with a pulled oblique muscle, could be in the lineup Thursday. He's batting .260 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs in 84 games. Choo missed six weeks with a broken left thumb after being hit by a pitch in June. It's been a tough year for Choo, who batted .300 or better in each of the last three seasons. He began the season slowly at the plate and the injuries have taken away any chance of working his way out of his slump.
ABOUT THE RANGERS (84-64): The bats are heating up at the right time. The Rangers have scored 38 runs on 56 hits in their last four games. It's a good moment for that to happen with the Los Angeles Angels lurking in the American League West. Adrian Beltre has 13 RBIs in 11 games since coming off the disabled list Sept. 1 and has homered three times in his last two contests. His solo home run in his last at-bat Tuesday extended his hitting streak to 17 games. The Rangers are 12-12 in their last 24 games.
FINAL PITCH: Nelson Cruz was activated Tuesday, but manager Ron Washington plans to bring him along slowly. Cruz has been out with a pulled hamstring and he'll be limited to pinch-hitting duties for the time being.