Detroit @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 4, 2011 ) Texas 5, Detroit 2

THE STORY: The powerful offense of the Texas Rangers and the stellar right arm of Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander will be on display when the American League Championship Series opens in Arlington, Texas on Saturday. The Rangers led the majors in batting average (.283) during the regular season while Verlander has a solid chance of being a unanimous winner of the Cy Young Award. Texas defeated Tampa Bay in four games in the American League Division Series while Detroit prevailed in a five-game series against the New York Yankees. Detroit won the regular-season series with Texas 6-3.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Fox.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (24-5, 2.40 ERA) vs. Rangers LH C.J. Wilson (16-7, 2.94 ERA)

Verlander struck out 11 while winning Game 3 of the ALDS against the Yankees. He gave up four runs in eight innings. He lost 2-0 to the Rangers on April 11 despite pitching all nine innings. Verlander is 6-2 with a 2.31 ERA in nine career starts against Texas. Josh Hamilton is 4-for-11 against Verlander.

Wilson was racked in his ALDS start against Tampa Bay and gave up eight runs (six earned) and seven hits in five innings. Wilson received a no-decision (four runs in 6 2/3 innings) earlier this season in his only career start against Detroit. Victor Martinez is 3-for-17 against Wilson.

ABOUT THE TIGERS: Detroit was outscored 28-17 by the Yankees despite winning the series. Don Kelly and Delmon Young hit back-to-back homers and Young became the first Detroit player with three homers in a postseason series. Young left the contest with an oblique injury and was slated to be re-evaluated Friday. AL batting leader Miguel Cabrera was hitless in four of five games against New York but has a .371 career average against the Rangers. Closer Jose Valverde had two saves and is flawless in 51 save opportunities in 2011.

ABOUT THE RANGERS: Texas batted just .211 in the ALDS and four of its six home runs came during Tuesday’s series-clinching 4-3 victory. Adrian Beltre’s become only the seventh player in major-league history to hit three homers in a postseason contest. Ian Kinsler, Mitch Moreland and Mike Napoli hit Texas’ other homers in the series. Michael Young hit just .133 against the Rays. The Rangers plan to keep Alexei Ogando in the bullpen despite the fact he beat Detroit three times this season. Neftali Feliz saved all three of Texas’ ALDS victories.

FINAL PITCH: Texas is making its second straight trip to the ALCS, while Detroit’s most recent ALCS appearance was in 2006.