Series Preview: Detroit Tigers (60-52) @ Texas Rangers (65-45)

The Detroit Tigers had struggled through the early part of the season but seem to have put something together. However, after winning the first two games of a four-game series against the Yankees, they dropped the last two for a split. They find themselves in a three-way tie for the AL Wild Card and one game out of the AL Central lead.

For the Rangers, they have their offense back in tow which is nice because their pitching certainly isn’t dominating anybody at this point. This is a good test for the Rangers starters having the most difficulty to face a potential playoff opponent as that time of the year inches closer.

Series at a Glance

Texas Record: 63-44 (1st AL West)
Detroit Record: 60-52 (2nd AL Central, 1 GB; T-1st AL Wild Card)

Season Series: 5-2 Texas
Record at Texas: 2-1

Notable Transaction: November 2, 1999: The Detroit Tigers traded Alan Webb, Frank Catalanotto, Francisco Cordero, Bill Haselman, Gabe Kapler and Justin Thompson to the Texas Rangers for Juan Gonzalez, Danny Patterson and Gregg Zaun.

Probable Starters:

Friday 7:05 CDT TEX: RHP Scott Feldman (6-6, 4.52 ERA/3.92 FIP) – DET: RHP Max Scherzer (10-6, 4.72 ERA/3.78 FIP)

Saturday 7:05 CDT TEX: LHP Derek Holland (7-6, 5.18 ERA/5.05 FIP) – DET: RHP Justin Verlander (12-7, 2.51 ERA/2.96 FIP)

Sunday 2:05 CDT TEX: RHP Yu Darvish (11-8, 4.57 ERA/3.80 FIP) – DET: RHP Rick Porcello (9-6, 4.62 ERA/3.65 FIP)

Projected Tigers Lineup

1 CF Austin Jackson
2 LF Andy Dirks (L)
3 3B Miguel Cabrera
4 1B Prince Fielder (L)
5 RF Brennan Boesch (L)
6 DH Delmon Young
7 SS Jhonny Peralta
8 C Alex Avila (L)
9 2B Omar Infante

Bench
C Gerald Laird
IF Ramon Santiago (B)
IF/OF Jeff Baker
OF Quintin Berry (L)

Bullpen
CL RHP Jose Valverde
SU RHP Joaquin Benoit
SU LHP Phil Coke
MID RHP Octavio Dotel
MID RHP Brayan Villarreal
MID LHP Darin Downs
LR LHP Duane Below

(source MLBDepthCharts)

For more information on the Tigers see FanSided’s Tigers page, Motor City Bengals.