Texas Rangers @ Chicago White Sox – Game 13 Preview

May 29, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Mariners starting pitcher Joe Saunders against the San Diego Padres Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Camelback Ranch – The Texas Rangers will take on the Chicago White Sox in game 13 of spring training action.  Today, Joe Saunders will get his first game action for the Rangers.  Saunders was recently signed by the Rangers and is currently working towards making the 25- man roster.  Saunders has the potential to earn $3.65 million with the club if he is able to make the roster and meet his incentives.

Probable starting pitchers

Joe Saunders  (No spring training stats)

vs

John Danks (0-0/0.00 ERA/ 2 strike outs over 1 game/3 innings )

Other probable pitchers today

Texas Rangers

• Tommy Hanson RHP
• Pedro Figueroa LHP
• Rafael Perez LHP

Chicago White Sox

• Scott Downs LHP
• Andre Rienzo RHP
• Mitchell Boggs RHP
• Nate Jones RHP
• Cody Winiarski RHP
• Donnie Veal LHP

Things to look for: Joe Saunders and Tommy Hanson are still in the mix to make the starting rotation.  So far Hanson has pitched well and is trying to make a good case to be in the rotation by opening day.  Saunders will get his chance to day to make his case.  Keep an eye on Saunders command and how effective he is.

Tommy Hanson 2014 Spring training Stats

0-1 Record/4.15 ERA/ 4 strike outs over 2 games/4.1 innings

Texas Rangers lineup

• Jurickson Profar dh
• Elvis Andrus SS
• Prince Fielder 1b
• Adrian Beltre 3b
• Mitch Moreland RF
• Engel Beltre LF
• Josh Wilson 2B
• Robinson Chirinos C
• Leonys Martin CF

Chicago White Sox lineup

• Adam Eaton CF,
• Gordon Beckham 2B
• Jose Abreu 1B
• Avisail Garcia RF
• Paul Konerko DH
• Alexei Ramirez SS
• Dayán Viciedo LF
• Adrián Nieto C
• Semien 3B

Lightening in a bottle: Jurickson Profar seems to be finding some power from somewhere.  He has collected 2 home runs in the last few days, one yesterday against the Reds and another against the Padres.  Profar played very well in the Dominican Winter League and it looks like he is picking up right where he left off.  He is currently batting .303 in spring training.  He has been held back from playing second base, but he is expected to get some game time as early as later this week.

Cuban Missile: Leonys Martin hasn’t had a great spring training so far with his bat, but yesterday he went 1 for 2, increased his batting average to .154 for the season.  But, the best news from yesterday was Martin recorded a stolen base and an assist from the outfield.  Martin had a hot streak last August where he kept gunning down runners and kept them from advancing from second to third.

The Rangers also have a ‘B’ game today against the Kansas City Royals that will go 7 innings in Surprise, Arizona

Rangers ‘B’ pitchers

• Matt Harrison LHP
• Justin Germano RHP
• Shawn Tolleson RHP
• Miles Mikolas RHP

Today’s game is at 3:05 CT and will be presented by 103.3 ESPN Radio (Broadcast delayed until 6:00 PM CT) and MLB Gameday Audio at MLB.com (Live)