Rangers at Twins
Pitching has rarely been a strong suit for the Texas Rangers, but it has been a catalyst for the majors' hottest team and its long winning streak of the season. The red-hot Rangers eye a seventh straight victory Saturday when they continue a three-game set in Minnesota against the Twins.
Mike Minor worked six strong innings and combined with two relievers to toss a three-hitter in Friday's 8-1 series-opening victory over Minnesota, marking the fourth straight time the opposition scored three runs or fewer and the fifth time during Texas' six-game surge it has kept its foe at or below that benchmark. The Rangers still rank 13th in the American League in ERA (4.74) for the season, although they have posted a 3.33 ERA during their winning streak despite surrendering 12 runs Sunday against Colorado. The Twins appeared to be on the verge of building some momentum after taking two of three in Cleveland and two of three at home against Boston, but they have been outscored 17-3 while dropping each of their last two contests. As a result of the recent slide, Minnesota finds itself a season-high seven games behind the Indians in the AL Central.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Southwest (Texas), FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (0-0, 15.95 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (3-4, 4.38)
Gallardo was mostly erratic in a no-decision Sunday against Colorado, throwing only 55 of his 98 pitches for strikes while giving up five runs on six hits and three walks over five innings in his season debut with Texas. The 32-year-old earned his promotion after posting a 2-1 record and 3.81 ERA in 10 turns with Triple-A Round Rock. Brian Dozier (9-for-18, one homer, five RBIs) and Joe Mauer (9-for-22) have both fared well against Gallardo, who is 4-2 with a 3.49 ERA in 11 starts versus Minnesota.
Odorizzi also struggled with his command in Sunday's loss at Cleveland, throwing only 57 of his 106 pitches for strikes while surrendering four runs on six hits and four walks in five frames. The Illinois native has issued four free passes across five innings in each of his last two outings and is one of three Minnesota starting pitchers who rank inside the top 20 in the majors in walks (35). Odorizzi has been mostly dominant in six career starts against Texas, however, going 4-0 with a 2.02 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Texas OF Shin-Soo Choo finished 2-for-4 Friday to extend his on-base streak to 35 games, one shy of the longest by a Ranger since Mark Teixeira in 2006.
2. Minnesota OF Eddie Rosario went 0-for-4 in the opener after missing a game with shoulder soreness. Despite the hitless effort, he is batting .356 with 13 homers and 34 RBIs since May 1.
3. Texas has drawn 85 walks in June - most in the majors - and leads the AL with 281 for the season.