Rangers at Tigers
The Detroit Tigers parted with a pretty penny to acquire the services of Jordan Zimmermann in the offseason - and the right-hander has paid immediate dividends to begin the 2016 campaign. After earning American League Pitcher of the Month honors for April, Zimmermann hopes his good fortune extends into his first start in May as the Tigers open a three-game series versus the visiting Texas Rangers on Friday.
Signed to a five-year, $110 million deal, Zimmermann is attempting to becoming the first Detroit pitcher to win each of his first six starts of a season since George Uhle in 1929. The Tigers can sure use a strong outing from the right-hander after getting swept by AL Central-rival Cleveland for the second time in 2016. For its part, a lack of offense sent Texas tumbling to three straight losses to conclude a four-game road series versus Toronto. The Rangers have totaled just eight runs in their last four contests after averaging six in the previous five games.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Cole Hamels (3-0, 3.30 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (5-0, 0.55)
After being scratched from a scheduled start due to a sore groin, Hamels kept his undefeated record intact on Sunday despite allowing four runs in a season-low five innings of a no-decision versus the Los Angeles Angels. The former World Series MVP is a blistering 10-1 in 17 regular-season starts since being acquired from Philadelphia last summer. Hamels, however, has struggled with his control of late as he yielded a season-high four walks and has allowed 15 free passes in 30 innings.
Zimmermann allowed one run on six hits in seven innings en route to a 4-1 victory over Minnesota on Saturday. The 29-year-old did not walk a batter for the first time this season, although the solo homer he allowed was the first time he has been taken deep in 2016. Prince Fielder had an RBI single in Texas' 12-2 setback to Toronto on Thursday and is the lone active member of his club to face Zimmermann in the majors, going 1-for-2.
WALK-OFFS
1. Detroit 3B Nick Castellanos belted a three-run homer in a 9-4 loss on Thursday to increase his RBI total to 12 in his last seven games.
2. Texas rookie RF Nomar Mazara is 9-for-29 during his seven-game hitting streak.
3. Tigers 2B Ian Kinsler is 21-for-56 with nine RBIs against Texas since being traded for Fielder following the 2013 season.