Armando Galarraga (5-8, 4.82) vs.
Tommy Hunter (2-1, 2.17), 8:05 p.m. EST
The road, she has been most unkind to these Detroit Tigers recently. Can this team tame the cruel fates that have befallen away from the comforts of home over the next three games? Or will the gnarly beast, this road, again lay a smackdown on the men who wear the Old English D?
Tommy Hunter makes his second start for Texas since being called up to replace the injured Matt Harrison. And that last start was a good one. Hunter held the Red Sox to one run and four hits over six innings, retiring 10 consecutive batters at one point. He's 2-1 with a 1.52 ERA in his past four starts. Not a big strikeout guy, but he's certainly shown a talent for getting hitters out by mixing his pitches well and pounding the strike zone.
Could Armando Galarraga have pitched much better in his last start? Rediscovering the touch on his slider, Galarraga had nasty stuff against the Mariners, holding them to just one hit over 7.1 innings. Unfortunately, he didn't get the win in that game because... well, you know why. The song hasn't changed much. Galarraga has a 2-0 record and 2.77 ERA against his former team. In his one start at The Ballpark in Arlington last year, he allowed three runs and six hits over six innings while earning a win.
Lone Star Ball has your SB Nation opposing view for this three-game series. Win or lose, it's a hoot to check in on what they're saying over there. (Okay, it's probably more fun when the Rangers lose.)