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Rangers-Royals Preview

Jul 23, 2009 - 8:40 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Texas (52-41) at Kansas City (37-57), 8:10 p.m. EDT

The Texas Rangers have been battling a case of the flu that has depleted their roster. They'll face an equally tough opponent in Kansas City Royals ace Zack Greinke on Friday night.

The Rangers look to win their fifth straight Friday night when they take on Greinke and the slumping Royals in the opener of a three-game series.

Texas (52-41) has struggled with a flu bug that has worked its way through the clubhouse. On Wednesday, the Rangers scratched starter Vicente Padilla after he exhibited symptoms of the flu, which had already caused reliever Eddie Guardado to be sent home and landed closer Frank Francisco on the disabled list with a mild case of pneumonia.

Several other players have exhibited symptoms but have not been sent home.

"It is concerning but the guys that really have it deep, they're not at the ballpark," said manager Ron Washington, who was dealing with a scratchy throat. "What we have around here today is symptoms. We're fighting that. We have to hope it doesn't get too much more than that."

The illness, though, doesn't seem to be impacting the Rangers on the field, as they are coming off a three-game home sweep of Boston. They closed the series with a 3-1 victory Wednesday behind Dustin Nippert, who gave up one run in 5 2-3 innings.

The Rangers, chasing Los Angeles for the AL West lead, have received excellent pitching during their four-game winning streak. Their starters are 3-0 with a 2.91 ERA while the bullpen has pitched 17 1-3 innings, posting a 1.04 ERA.

Texas is looking to take advantage of a Royals team that has lost a season-high nine straight, but the Rangers open the series against Greinke (10-5, 2.08 ERA), the league leader in ERA. Greinke pitched a seven-hitter at Texas on May 18, striking out 10 in a 2-0 victory.

The Royals could use another lengthy outing from their ace as the club's bullpen has had a big hand in the current slide. Kansas City relievers are 0-4 with a 10.05 ERA and four blown saves during the losing streak.

Three Royals relievers gave up five runs in the eighth inning of a 9-6 loss to the Angels on Wednesday.

"It feels like Groundhog Day," manager Trey Hillman said. "It's the same thing, different day."

The Royals (37-57) haven't lost 10 in a row since a 12-game skid May 19-30, 2008.

Although he is among the best pitchers in the AL, Kansas City has lost seven of Greinke's last nine starts. The Royals haven't helped him much, giving him 2.6 runs of support per game during that stretch.

Greinke pitched seven innings against Tampa Bay last Saturday, allowing one run while striking out seven in a 4-2 loss. He didn't get the decision.

Texas' Scott Feldman (8-3, 3.87) takes the mound Friday as he looks to bounce back from his first loss in five starts. Feldman gave up three runs in six innings of a 4-1 defeat to Minnesota last Saturday. The right-hander had won his previous three outings.

Feldman made his first start against the Royals on Aug. 25 after facing them seven times in relief, allowing three runs in seven innings of a 9-4 win.

The Royals took two of three from the Rangers at Arlington in May.