Texas @ Detroit preview
Comerica Park
Last Meeting ( Apr 26, 2010 ) Detroit 8, Texas 6
Much like Ryan Raburn’s failed attempt at a highlight-reel catch on Sunday, the Detroit Tigers have fallen flat on their back since the All-Star break.
A return to Comerica Park on Monday, however, could help them get back on the right track.
The Tigers seek to end a five-game slide on Monday against the AL West-leading Texas Rangers in the opener of a three-game series.
Detroit was atop the AL Central at the All-Star break, having won seven of its last nine games prior to the Midsummer Classic.
The Tigers have lost all their momentum, however, after being swept by the last-place Cleveland Indians in a four-game series for the first time in 19 years.
The Tigers, who now trail the Chicago White Sox by 1 1/2 games, were held to just eight runs in the series. But that wasn’t the most embarrassing aspect of the shocking sweep.
The insult to injury was Jhonny Peralta’ s inside-the-park home run Sunday, which was made possible when Raburn crashed through the bullpen door in right-center field while attempting to make a leaping catch.
The play was a microcosm of the series.
The Tigers haven’t had many blunders like that at home, where they are an AL-best 32-13.
In addition to their home-field advantage, the Tigers should feel confident about their chances against Scott Feldman (5-8, 5.32 ERA). Detroit roughed him up for eight runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings of an 8-4 win on April 24. Feldman is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in eight games – three starts vs. the Tigers.
The right-hander was sharp his last outing, though, as he allowed just two runs and eight hits in seven innings against the Baltimore Orioles on July 9. Feldman didn't receive a decision in the 7-6 loss.
He’ll have the support of a Rangers' offense that has been clicking on all cylinders. Texas has won three of four coming out of the break, having scored 21 runs in that span.
On Sunday, C.J. Wilson pitched into the seventh and Nelson Cruz drove in a run in a 4-2 win over the Boston Red Sox. The victory pushed the Rangers to 4 1/2 games ahead of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the West.
Cruz and the Rangers now will try to stay hot against Jeremy Bonderman (5-6, 4.79). The right-hander allowed three runs and four hits in six innings of a 7-4 home win over Minnesota on July 10.
It was the continuation of an up-and-down first half for Bonderman, whose ERA is nearly three runs lower at home (3.63) than on the road (6.11).
Bonderman is 2-1 with a 4.93 ERA in seven starts against Texas.