Detroit Tigers Vs. Texas Rangers: Series Preview

Texas Rangers (23-14) vs. Detroit Tigers (20-16)
Tuesday, May 19 - Thursday, May 21
Comerica Park - Detroit, MI

Game One

TEX: Brandon McCarthy (3-1, 5.92 ERA) vs. DET: Dontrelle Willis (0-0, 7.71 ERA)
Weather: 70s - Sunny - Zero Percent Chance of Precipitation

Willis: This game is another step, hopefully in the right direction, for Dontrelle Willis. Since being traded to the Tigers in 2007, Willis has yet to pick up a victory for his team. In his first start of the season against the Twins, he went four-and-two-thirds innings while allowing four earned on eight hits.

McCarthy: Brandon McCarthy has struggled on the road this season, 1-1 with a 8.40 ERA and opponents rocking a .355 average against. He has done a great job shutting down right handed hitters this season, they have a .219 average against him, but lefties are slugging their way to a .315 average.

Key Player: Curtis Granderson, OF Tigers.

Expect to see: quite a few lefties in the lineup for Jim Leyland, Texas come out swinging hard versus Willis to get him rattled, a high scoring game

Prediction: RANGERS WIN

Game Two

TEX: Matt Harrison (4-2, 4.23 ERA) vs. DET: Justin Verlander 3-2, 4.29 ERA)
Weather: 80s - Sunny - Zero Percent Chance of Precipitation

Verlander: Verlander is back on track, or so it seems. JV has thrown three straight games of double-digit strikeouts, first time that has happened for a Tiger in 28 years. Justin has nearly owned Texas in his career too, posting a 4-1 record with a 2.23 ERA in six starts.

Harrison: Harrison has been simply shutting down opposing hitters lately. He has thrown two straight complete games and has four straight wins coming into this game. In his last 28 innings, he has allowed two earned runs.

Against Detroit earlier in the season, he allowed four in five-and-two-thirds innings of work and picked up a loss.

Key Player: Miguel Cabrera, 1B Tigers and Ian Kinsler, 2B Rangers.

Expect to see: a very low scoring game

Prediction: TIGERS WIN

Game Three

TEX: Kevin Millwood (4-3, 2.93 ERA) vs. DET: Edwin Jackson (3-2, 2.42 ERA)
Weather: 80s - Partly Sunny - Zero Percent Chance of Precipitation

Jackson: Edwin has thrown back-to-back games of seven innings or more, while only giving up one run in that time period. In his last start, he endured a long rain delay to pick up a win. His 2.42 ERA ranks the best on the Tigers staff this season.

Millwood: He wants to avenge his no-decision against Detroit from earlier this season. In his first start against the Tigers this season, he threw seven scoreless innings before the bullpen let Detroit rally for six runs in the eighth inning. Comerica Park is a pitchers ballpark and Kevin likes throwing there, in four career starts he is 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA.

Key Player: Rangers bullpen

Expect to see: a well pitched game from both sides, small ball

Prediction: TIGERS WIN