Texas @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( May 16, 2010 ) Texas 2, Toronto 5

From a records standpoint, the Texas Rangers might be feeling confident about Monday afternoon's series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays.

A closer look at the numbers may change their minds in a hurry.

The Rangers look to get back on the winning track as they play the curtain raiser of a four-game series against the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. Texas sends Tommy Hunter (12-2) to the mound in the opener, while the Jays counter with left-hander Ricky Romero (11-7).

The raw numbers tend to favor the Rangers, who sit 14 games above .500 and hold an eight-game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the American League West race. Barring a major collapse, Texas is a safe bet to make its first playoff appearance since 1999.

That's about the only bit of good news in the Rangers' clubhouse.

Texas comes into the series fresh off being swept out of Minnesota by the AL Central-leading Twins. Sunday's loss came in heart-wrenching fashion, as Michael Young was called for the final out after allegedly making contact with third-base coach Dave Anderson while running the bases.

Umpire Alfonzo Marquez ruled that Anderson interfered with Young and called the runner out, snuffing the Rangers' rally in its tracks and handing the Twins a 6-5 victory.

The Rangers also learned they'll be without star outfielder and MVP candidate Josh Hamilton, who suffered a rib injury during Saturday's game and doesn't think he'll be back in the lineup anytime soon. Hamilton has been one of the top run-producing hitters in the majors, batting an AL-best .361 with 31 homers and 97 RBIs.

Despite owning a better record than Toronto, the Rangers are just 1-5 in the season series and have lost the last five meetings. Toronto swept the Rangers in Arlington in their last encounter, outscoring Texas 27-12 in the three-game set.

Hunter will look to reverse his team's recent fortunes, but he hasn't had much luck against Toronto in his career. The 24-year-old right-hander is 1-0 in two starts all-time but owns a 7.50 ERA over 12 innings. That includes a rude welcoming in his major-league debut, as he was charged with six runs over five innings in a 9-8 Blue Jays victory back on Aug. 1, 2008.

Hunter has been on a roll of late, riding a personal three-game winning streak following back-to-back rough outings. He scattered two runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings in his last appearance as Texas nipped the Kansas City Royals 4-3.

He'll be hoping his Rangers teammates finally figure out Romero, who has dominated Texas in his career. The 25-year-old is 1-1 in three starts but has a minuscule 0.86 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 22 1/3 innings.

Romero earned a no-decision against Texas in his season debut on Apr. 8, allowing one run on five hits over seven innings. He was spectacular in their last meeting, tossing a complete-game five-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts in a 6-0 Toronto win on May 15.

Toronto is coming off a 3-3 road trip through New York and Tampa, owners of the top two records in Major League Baseball.