The Texas Rangers have one more week of splitting the four matches and winning the three-match series. This ended their 21-match series in 20 days, ending the series with a 12-9 record. They are now 6.5 matches back from first place in the division (thanks to seven successive defeats from the Astros) and 0.5 matches back in the second American League Wild Card behind Cleveland (Boston is a 0.5 game behind the Rangers).
Rangers now have a series of eight consecutive series where they win or split. Their final draw defeat was at the end of May against Los Angeles Angels.
Rangers also now have seven matches in a row with several home runs. Much of that is due to Mazara's hot streak this weekend against the Chicago White Sox.
Mazara reached three home runs, one of which became the leading MLB homer of 505 feet on Friday which entered the second deck's home run terrace, just a few lines from the rear window.
Sunday's match was a match that almost lost Rangers in the 8th inning after Peter Fairbanks loaded the base and then walked in running with one out. Brett Martin came in for one before Shawn Kelley was called in to save four. Kelley looked a bit unsteady in his last few shows, but on Sunday he went 1.1 innings and attacked two.
Rangers go into this week with a much-needed and decent holiday on Monday. Then they will continue 13 matches until their three days of rest for the All-Star Game. Rangers started this week in Detroit for three matches. Detroit is currently 26-47, 22 matches back from first place in the Central Division. They also suffered four successive defeats after being swept away by Cleveland this weekend and splitting the series in Pittsburgh in the middle of last week.
Rangers will face Jordan Zimmerman who has made seven early this season after being put in the AK. at the end of April to sprain the elbow of UCL. He was just activated on June 19, Tuesday's game will be the second game back. He went four innings against Pittsburgh on his return and gave up three runs on five hits and one walked, and he attacked four.
Tuesday will be Jesse Chavez's second start of the season, the first as an official part of the rotation.
Wednesday's game will feature Mike Minor and Matt Boyd on the mound. Boyd is 5-5 in 16 matches with 3.61 ERA. At his last start, he went 6.0 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits and two runs with six strikeouts.
In Thursday's holiday match, Ariel Jurado will take the mound for Rangers. RHP Rookie, Spencer Turnbull, will take the mound for the Tigers. He is 3-7 in 16 matches with 3.29 ERA. At his last start against Cleveland, he went five inings and gave up two male runs six hits and two walked and he attacked four.
Rangers are also likely to activate Joey Gallo for Tuesday's match. Gallo is in I.L. since June 2 for left oblique strains.
Rangers at Tigers statistics
Rangers: Unfortunately, they lost Hunter Pence some time ago, which was great with 15 HR and 48 RBI in just 55 matches. It's nice to see Joey Gallo, the only player in MLB history with more HR than singles, continues to unite (17 dingers). Elvis Andrus continued to be productive at the age of 30, currently more than 0.300, with 16 bases stolen. Add the power of Nomar Mazara, and you have a dangerous line. Lance Lynn became relevant again, becoming 9-4 with 108 Ks in 100 work innings. Mike Minor is 7-4 with 2.52 ERA and 103 Ks in 103 2/3 innings. They finished it under Chris Woodward!
Tiger: If you don't watch a lot of baseball matches in 2019, can you name more than three beats on a tiger? Probably not. But, they continue to grind, hoping to win more matches than their speed. They have young men on their side with many beginners aged 25 to 27 years. Miguel Cabrera, who is the parent of the current team, has knocked 30 runs with an average of 0.296. 30 of his RBIs were tied with Brandon Dixon to lead the team. Matthew Boyd has been solid, 5-5 with 118 Ks in 94 2/3 innings of work. Shane Greene has a 0.93 ERA and 21 saves in 26 wins. Both of them stand out in the rotation that has struggled.
Rangers at Tigers meet
Detroit came after dropping eight of its last 10, while Texas 6-4 in its last 10 matches. Matthew Boyd is 1-2 in seven starting last and only 1-4 in five starts last against Texas. Meanwhile Mike Minor is 0-2 against Detroit in his career in two starts.
Main battle: Tigers vs games that win
This is a not-so-pleasant fact; Rangers have won 14 matches in June. The Tigers have won 13 matches in May and June combined.
Forecast
Chavez and Rangers rush to win easily in game one.
