Texas Rangers (32-26) at Cleveland Indians (33-22) Preview and Lineups Game 3

I gotta say, “I told you so!” I am ecstatic that the Rangers won last night, but I knew they would with Ogando on the mound. After going eight innings allowing just a single earned run, he is now 6-0 with an even lower ERA (2.20) than before and I couldn’t be happier – this guy is definitely someone the Rangers better keep in their starting rotation because he is freaking awesome!

Anyway, tonight is yet another game. It is the third of four games to be played here in Cleveland before the Rangers head back home to host the Detroit Tigers. They just need one more win in this series – either tonight or tomorrow night – to win four consecutive series. It was also their sixth win in seven games. The Rangers offense is sizzling right now and definitely something for the Indians look out for – as if they didn’t already know that! Maybe Hamilton can hit another three-run homer tonight!

Pitching Matchups

LHP Derek Holland takes the mound for the Rangers this evening. Holland has had a sub-par season so far going 4-1 with a 4.96 ERA. Ohio Native, Holland will be making his first ever appearance against Cleveland for his career. During his last outing, he allowed five runs on the same number of hits while walking five and striking out seven over the course of 5.2 innings. Despite the somewhat terrible outing, he still was given the win as the Rangers offense was spectacular with 11 runs scored against the Rays’ five.

However, before getting that win, the 24-year-old went six straight starts without a decision. In six of his last nine games, he has allowed four or five earned runs – two of those being his last two starts in which he has only lasted four and 5.2 innings.

On the road this season, Holland is 2-1 with an ERA of 3.41 over five starts, three of which have been deemed quality starts. He has allowed 14 runs on 35 hits over 34.1 innings while walking 12 and striking out 27.

The Indians hand the ball over to starter RHP Fausto Carmona. Carmona is 3-6 with a 5.31 ERA and has obviously been struggling. His previous three games have all been losses. Over those three starts, he has pitched 17 innings allowing 21 runs on 21 hits. On Monday, he allowed nine runs on the same amount of hits against Toronto over just four innings. In his last four starts, he’s allowed five home runs and at minimum four earned runs.

At home this year, the 27-year-old has allowed 22 runs on 34 hits over 39.2 innings while walking nine and striking out 25. Last year, he started at home against Texas on April 12 in which he allowed the Rangers to get in five this and score twice over eight innings but still ended in a loss. Against Texas in his career, he is 2-6 with an earned run average of 5.40.

Batters vs. Hitters

LHP Derek Holland: Holland has only faced a couple of the Indians. Orlando Cabrera is 2-for-4 with one double and Jack Hannahan is 1-for-5 with two strikeouts.

RHP Fausto Carmona: David Murphy is 5-for-7 with one double, three RBIs and two walks, Josh Hamilton is 6-for-14 with four doubles, one triple, three RBIs and a walk, and Elvis Andrus is 3-for-5 with one RBI, two walks and one strikeout. Michael Young is 5-for-19 with a double, two RBIs and the same number of walks as well as strikeouts. Adrian Beltre is 2-for-9 with a homer, two RBIs, three walks and two strikeouts and Ian Kinsler is 1-for-7 with one double, one RBI, two walks and four strikeouts.

Rangers Lineup

Endy Chavez gets a day off tonight…well-deserved if you ask me!

2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
CF Josh Hamilton
DH Michael Young
3B Adrian Beltre
RF Nelson Cruz
1B Mitch Moreland
C Yorvit Torrealba
LF David Murphy

Indians Lineup

LF Michael Brantley
2B Orlando Cabrera
SS Asdrubal Cabrera
1B Carlos Santana
CF Grady Sizemore
DH Shelley Duncan
RF Austin Kearns
C Lou Marson
3B Adam Everett

My Prediction

With the way the Rangers’ offense is hitting, I think even if Holland has a bad outing and has to leave the game early that the Rangers will win. 7-4…just in case Holland decides to pitch like he has in his previous two starts.