Texas Rangers (21-19) at Chicago White Sox (17-24) Preview Game 1

The Texas Rangers head to Chicago for a two game series against the White Sox after taking two of the three home games against the Los Angeles Angels. Winning two of those games, the Rangers are not just half a game behind the Angels in the AL West Standings. In 2010, the Rangers were able to take five of nine games against Chicago.

Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz are still on the disabled list for the time being, but should be making rehab assignments soon – in fact, Cruz is expected today at AA Frisco and Hamilton is expected for his first rehab start on Wednesday.

Pitching Matchups

The Rangers will start the game will RHP Colby Lewis on the mound. This will be Lewis’ eighth start on the season and he’ll be looking to get two straight wins. He is 3-4 with a 4.57 ERA. His last time out, he only allowed Oakland to score once in 7.1 innings after allowing five hits, issuing one walk but no strikeouts. His previous outing was a loss after allowing three runs on eight hits over eight innings. He had 11 strikeouts for that game. Over his last four starts, he has progressively lowered his ERA from 6.95 to 5.70 to 5.21 to 4.57.

Against the White Sox, Lewis is 1-3 with a 7.59 ERA over 32 innings pitched and 27 earned runs over seven games, five of which were starts. His three losses have come at Chicago, which is a bummer usi8ng history as a prediction of how tonight’s game will go. On the road, Lewis has allowed 10 runs on 20 hits over 22 innings posting a 3.68 ERA.

The White Sox will counter with RHP Edwin Jackson. He is 3-4 with a 4.29 ERA for the year over nine starts, four of which were at home including tonight’s game. The 27-year-old won his first two games of the season with a decision but then over his next five starts, he ended up 0-4. His last time out, he won against the Angels in an 8-0 victory. Over seven innings, he threw five strikes and just one walk while allowing five hits but no runs. He was able to reduce his ERA to 4.29 from 4.98 with this win and will look to achieve another win to lower his ERA even more and get two consecutive win decisions.

Against Texas, Jackson is 2-2 over six starts for his career and holds an ERA of 3.67. At home, Jackson  has allowed five runs on 17 hits over 20.2 innings and has a 2.18 ERA.

Pitchers vs. Hitters

RHP Colby Lewis: Paul Konerko is 3-for-16 with three RBIs and A.J. Pierzynski is 3-for-12 with one double. Juan Pierre is 4-for-7, Alex Rios is 3-for-8 with one homer and two RBIs, Alexei Ramirez is 2-for-6 while Ramon Castro is 1-for-2, Omar Vizquel is 1-for-8, Carlos Quentin is 1-for-6 with one homer and two RBIs and Gordon Beckham is 1-for-6.

RHP Edwin Jackson: Michael Young is 4-for-19, Ian Kinsler is 5-for-15 with one double, two homers and four RBIs, Adrian Beltre is 4-for-11 with one double and one RBI and David Murphy is 3-for-7 with one double, one homer and one RBI. Mike Napoli is 1-for-9, Yorvit Torrealba is 0-for-3 and Chris Davis is 0-for-8.