White Sox at Rangers
Texas Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo finished May with a flourish and hasn't slowed down throughout June, as he brings pronounced hitting and on-base streaks into Friday's opener of a three-game series versus the Chicago White Sox. Choo, who has hit safely in 11 consecutive contests, is batting .336 with a .468 on-base percentage while reaching base in 40 straight contests.
Choo had a double and a single as Texas (36-46) posted its ninth win in 11 outings with a 5-2 triumph over San Diego on Wednesday. The 35-year-old ravaged Chicago (28-52) by going 5-for-13 with a homer, five RBIs and four runs scored, but the White Sox took two of three at Guaranteed Rate Field. Chicago's bid for a season-high four-game winning streak was halted after 13 innings in Thursday's 2-1 setback to Minnesota. Leury Garcia, who went 6-for-10 in the series against the Twins, had four hits and two RBIs in the previous series versus Texas.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Dylan Covey (3-2, 3.45 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (1-0, 12.08)
Covey expressed no issues during his bullpen session on Tuesday after exiting his last start against Oakland with soreness in his hip and groin. "Everything felt great. Unless something weird happens, I'll be good to go. That's the plan," the 26-year-old said. Covey would like to get back on track after yielding nine runs and as many walks over his last two starts (nine innings) on the heels of allowing just three runs in his previous three outings.
Gallardo has struggled out of the blocks in two starts since being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock, although the 32-year-old walked away victorious in his last outing. Gallardo followed up a five-run performance on June 17 with a four-run effort over 5 1/3 innings of a 9-6 win at Minnesota. Gallardo has been taken deep three times in those two contests and sports a 1-1 mark with a 4.79 ERA in four career starts against the White Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre has nine hits, four RBIs and three runs scored in his last six contests.
2. Chicago RF Avisail Garcia has two homers, three RBIs and four runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.
3. Choo's on-base streak is tied with Philadelphia OF Odubel Herrera for the longest of the season.