Texas @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 29, 2010 ) Chi. White Sox 7, Texas 5
In his last start, Chicago White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle couldn’t make it through the third inning. After manager Ozzie Guillen got tossed in the second by first-base umpire Joe West for arguing a balk call, Buehrle followed suit after 2 1/3 innings after West called him for his second balk of the game.
Buehrle dropped his glove in disbelief and West immediately ejected him. Buehrle takes the mound for the first time since that incident, as he will try and lead the White Sox past the Texas Rangers in a three-game series opener on Tuesday night. The Rangers will send veteran right-hander Rich Harden to the mound.
Buehrle has had success against the Rangers, going 11-4 with a 3.07 ERA in 18 games - including a no-hitter in 2007. In his first start against Texas this year, Buehrle went seven innings, allowing four earned runs with a walk and two strikeouts in a losing effort.
Offensively, the White Sox are coming off an impressive 8-5 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. The South Siders were led by a grand slam from second baseman Jayson Nix in the sixth inning. Also, Alex Rios recorded three hits and Paul Konerko and Mark Teahen each came through with two hits apiece.
Teahen left the game with an injured middle finger on his right hand and is questionable for Tuesday’s game. Closer Bobby Jenks might not be available Tuesday, either, as he has a sore right calf.
The Rangers, on the other hand, are trying to fill the void in the lineup left by Nelson Cruz, who made his second appearance on the disabled list this season with a strained left hamstring.
Texas will also have to find a rotation replacement for Derek Holland, who is headed to the disabled list with a mild case of inflammation in the rotator cuff of his left shoulder.
The Rangers are expected to recall reliever Pedro Strop in place of Holland, and, when Holland’s rotation spot comes up later this week, the team will then call up Tommy Hunter to start.
But the Rangers will be more concerned about Harden on Tuesday. In his last start, Harden allowed six runs (five earned) with two walks and five strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings against the Royals.
Harden didn’t get a decision in his last game, but the Rangers have won three of his past four starts. And Harden, who is 4-3 with a 3.19 ERA in eight lifetime starts against the White Sox, will be pitching on six days’ rest.