Rangers start interleague play today against the Cubs. I'll start with some facts, basic statistics and then move to personal thoughts (as always). Also, do note that this will have a page break, so click on the Title to read the entire thing, if you wish.
The Rangers look to extend their home winning streak to seven and improve to 11-1 on their own field this month Friday night when they meet the Cubs, losers of 11 of their last 12 road games against the AL.
Texas (24-18) has a four-game lead in the AL West thanks to its .330 batting average and 6.6 runs per game in Arlington in May.
That hot hitting continued Thursday night, when Texas collected a season-high 20 hits and tied its season best in runs in a 13-7 win over Baltimore. Nelson Cruz had four hits and four RBIs, and was one of eight Rangers with two or more hits as Texas scored at least 10 runs for the fourth time in 14 games.
That’s not a good sign for the Cubs, who lost six of their last seven interleague games last season, finishing 6-9. Chicago (19-23) has been swept in three of its last four interleague series on the road, with its lone win since June 2008 coming at the White Sox last season.
The Cubs had won a season high-tying four straight before falling 5-4 at Philadelphia on Thursday. Despite the defeat, Chicago was encouraged by its split with the reigning NL champion Phillies.
Chicago hopes to bounce back behind Ted Lilly (1-3, 4.65 ERA), who will take the mound in search of his first win since his season debut April 24. The left-hander has held opponents to three earned runs over seven innings in each of his last two starts.
Lilly is 4-4 with a 3.63 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) against the Rangers, going 1-3 with a 4.73 ERA in Arlington. He hasn’t faced Texas since not receiving a decision in a 6-5 road loss June 21, 2007. In a span of the 74.1 innings against the Rangers, he averages 1 1/3 homeruns per nine innings. And the Ranger sticks are hot right now, look for him to at least give up one tonight, probably two.
Rangers to Watch:
- Vlad: 3-11 (.273 ave); 2 HRs; 3 RBIs; 3 walks
- Michael Young: 10-34 (.294 ave); 3 doubles; 1 HR; 4 RBIs; 3 walks
- NOTE: Josh Hamilton and Nellie Cruz have not faced Lilly
The Rangers will counter with Colby Lewis (3-2, 3.68). After going 3-0 in his first four starts, the right-hander has gotten four runs of support over 27 2-3 innings while going 0-2 in his last four.
The right-hander will try to get back on track by rebounding from his worst start of the year. He gave up five runs in 5 2-3 innings of a 5-2 loss at Toronto on Sunday, allowing three hits but walking four.
Lewis has never faced the Cubs, who dropped two of three at Texas in 2007 to fall to 2-4 in the all-time series. The Rangers were 9-9 in interleague play in 2009.
Forecast: Here's an odd stat, if Lilly gives up a HR, the Cubs lose. At least that is the trend thus far this season. And I would be willing to bet some money at least one is going out tonight. His last two starts have gone 7 innings. The Rangers have lost the last three games Lewis has started, collecting his two losses during that stretch. Three of his last four starts have been on the road and he has 54 strikeouts in 51.1 innings. I like Lewis over Lilly in this one. I am certain my bias plays a little part in it, but I like the Rangers offense in this and I like Lewis as a pitcher. He has good control and even though I don't think he has the stuff right now to be an ace, I think he can be a solid #2 or #3 guy, as he has already started exihibiting thus far. Even when he is bad, he's not that bad. Rangers win this, 7-3.
1 Random Thoughts:
is it just me, or do the Rangers finally have a decent pitching staff? we're always in good shape when it's a high-scoring game. but this year, it seems like we do okay in games where ryns are scarce too.
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