@ Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Game 1: Monday, July 27th, 8:05 PM
Armando Galarraga, RHP (5-8, 4.82) Vs. Tommy Hunter, RHP (2-1, 2.17)
Tigers: Galarraga lowered his ERA by more than a quarter of a run in his last outing, thanks to 7 1/3 innings of one-hit, one-run ball. He had a shutout going into the eighth before walking Jack Hannahan ahead of Russell Branyan's two-run homer off Bobby Seay. He has pitched at least 6 1/3 innings with one run allowed in three of his past four outings to revitalize his season, but the Tigers have won only one of those games. He would no doubt love to earn a victory against his old team in Texas, which he has beaten twice since the Rangers traded him to Detroit last year.
Rangers: Hunter pitched six innings and allowed one earned run on Tuesday against the Red Sox for his second Major League win. It was his third quality start of the season. He has gone 2-1 with a 1.52 ERA over his last four starts to lower his ERA to 2.16 from 5.06. Hunter produced 10 consecutive batters from the second out of the third inning to the second out of the sixth. This is his debut against the Tigers. In his career at home, Hunter has a 5.01 ERA with a 2-2 record, but a 2.74 ERA with a 2-1 record this season.
Game 2: Tuesday, July 28th, 8:05 PM ET
Lucas French, LHP (1-1, 2.22) Vs. Vicente Padilla, RHP (7-5, 4.67)
Tigers: With the Tigers still looking for starting pitching on the market and the non-waiver trade deadline looming, this could be French's final start for a while. But it also could be the next step in this 23-year-old rookie's development, which has gone better than expected so far. Though he took his first Major League loss last Thursday against the Mariners, he struck out six over 5 1/3 innings and had a relative pitching duel going until he gave up a run in the sixth. He'll face a Rangers lineup that bats nine points lower against left-handed pitchers compared with right-handers.
Rangers: Padilla was skipped in his last start against the Red Sox because of what's turned out to be a case of swine flu. But he is recovering and the Rangers expect him to start against the Tigers. Padilla is 4-2 with a 3.56 ERA in his last seven games. He is 3-4 with a 6.00 ERA in nine starts at home. Left-handed hitters are batting .330 off him and right-handed hitters are batting .232. He is 3-2 with a 4.63 ERA in six starts at home.
Game 3: Wednesday, July 29th, 8:05 PM ET
Justin Verlander, RHP (11-5, 3.12) Vs. Scott Feldman, RHP (9-3, 3.59)
Tigers: Verlander has led the American League in strikeouts for much of the season, and it isn't really close. Now his breakout year has him battling among the AL leaders in wins, despite some of the low-scoring no-decisions and losses he has taken over the past month. The Tigers gave him an early lead in his last start, and he went the distance with it for a complete-game six hitter, having allowed a lone unearned run. But the road presents a particular test for Verlander, who owns a 4-5 record and 4.76 ERA away from Comerica Park compared with 7-0 and 1.15 at home.
Rangers: Feldman pitched eight scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Royals on Friday, his longest outing in 42 career Major League starts. He is now 4-1 with a 2.79 ERA in his last six starts and he has a 3.04 ERA in 16 starts this season. He is 3-2 with a 3.72 ERA in 11 games, including nine starts, at home this season. He has a 6.43 ERA in five relief appearances and one start against the Tigers in his career.
That is the beating of the Rangers we are used too.