• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Tigers-Rangers Preview

Jul 27, 2009 - 4:24 AM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Detroit (52-44) at Texas (53-42), 8:05 p.m. EDT

The Detroit Tigers have used outstanding pitching to stifle the Texas Rangers.

The Tigers will try to improve to 7-0 against the Rangers this year when they open a three-game series in Arlington on Monday night.

Detroit (52-45) swept two three-game sets at home from Texas this year, and has won seven straight in the series. The Rangers (54-42) have been limited to 15 runs and a .158 batting average against the Tigers in 2009.

The normally potent Texas infield has done virtually nothing against the Tigers. Third baseman Michael Young is 3 for 23 (.130), second baseman Ian Kinsler is 2 for 22 (.091) and first baseman Hank Blalock 4 for 19 (.211) against Detroit with a total of four RBIs.

Texas slugger Josh Hamilton is 3 for 11 (.273) with a homer and four RBIs versus the Tigers this season, but is mired in a puzzling slump. Hamilton sat out Sunday's 7-2 win at Kansas City, and is 2 for 28 (.071) with 11 strikeouts over his last seven games.

"I don't know (why)," Hamilton told the Rangers' official Web site. "I really don't know. If I knew, I'd fix it. But since I don't, I can't."

Detroit won three of four at home from the Chicago White Sox over the weekend. The Tigers entered the series tied with the White Sox for the AL Central lead, and now have a two-game advantage after losing 5-1 on Sunday.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera is 10 for 23 (.435) with a homer and eight RBIs versus Texas this year. Second baseman Placido Polanco is 10 for 24 (.417) with seven runs scored and four RBIs.

Detroit has lost five straight on the road as it opens a six-game trip.

"If we can play better on the road, we'll be in a better situation," Tigers catcher Gerald Laird said.

Detroit starter Armando Galarraga (5-8, 4.82) will try to defeat his former team for the third time in as many career starts. Galarraga, traded by Texas to Detroit for minor-league outfielder Michael Hernandez on Feb. 5, 2008, is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA against the Rangers.

The right-hander is 1-1 with a 2.36 ERA over his last four outings. He allowed one run in 7 1-3 innings and did not get a decision Wednesday in a 2-1 loss at Seattle.

"I felt good, really good. Sliders, two-seamers, and my location's getting better," Galarraga said. "I'm doing good things."

The Rangers beat Kansas City 7-2 on Sunday for their sixth win in seven games, and trail the first-place Los Angeles Angels by 3 1/2 games in the AL West.

Texas will give the ball to promising rookie Tommy Hunter (2-1, 2.17), who is 2-0 with a 1.04 ERA in his last three outings. He beat Boston on Tuesday by allowing one run over six innings in a 4-2 victory.

Hunter had a rough introduction to the majors last year, going 0-2 with a 16.36 ERA in three starts. He's been a far different pitcher this season and has given the Rangers' rotation a major boost.

"He's matured so much since last year," Kinsler said.

The 23-year-old right-hander has never faced the Tigers.