Toronto @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( May 5, 2016 ) Texas 2, Toronto 12

The Texas Rangers are sitting a season-high five games over .500 as they prepare to host the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series. The resilient Rangers have rebounded to win five of their last six contests after dropping the final three of a four-game set in Toronto last week.

Texas won the final two of a three-game set against the American League-leading Chicago White Sox by battling back from three deficits in each of the two victories. Outfielder Ian Desmond went 6-for-14 with a home run and six RBIs against the White Sox to run his hitting streak to seven games. The Blue Jays came up short in their bid for a three-game sweep in San Francisco, dropping the series finale Wednesday in 13 innings. It was the 11th one-run decision for Toronto, which is 3-8 in such games.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (1-4, 5.18 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (1-2, 3.51)

Dickey's winless streak reached six starts when he was charged with four runs (two earned) on six hits over a season-high seven innings in a 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers last time out. The 41-year-old knuckleballer has pitched at least six innings in each of his last four turns, including 6 1/3 frames of one-run ball versus Texas on May 2. Dickey has held Elvis Andrus hitless in 12 at-bats while Adrian Beltre is only 3-for-16 against him.

Perez has turned in back-to-back strong starts but has nothing to show for it after allowing two runs over six innings last time out at Detroit and tossing five scoreless innings of four-hit ball at Toronto in his previous turn. The 25-year-old Venezuelan has permitted three runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts and pitched at least six innings on five occasions. Control has been an issue for Perez, who has issued 23 walks over 41 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers rookie RF Nomar Mazara was 6-for-16 in the four-game set at Toronto.

2. Reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson was 6-for-14 against the Giants, capped by a four-hit game in the series finale.

3. Desmond was 2-for-15 in Toronto last week and is 7-for-37 lifetime against the Blue Jays.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Blue Jays 3