Texas @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 26, 2012 ) Minnesota 6, Texas 5

The last time Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz homered in three consecutive games was during the final three games of the 2011 AL Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers, which the Rangers won in seven games. He could accomplish that feat again Thursday when the Rangers visit the Minnesota Twins in the opener of a four-game series. Cruz homered in Wednesday’s 11-3 victory against the host Los Angeles Angels, reportedly cracking his bat in the process. He also hit a three-run homer in a 5-4 loss Tuesday in Anaheim.

Four of Minnesota’s games through the first month of the season have been postponed by weather, leaving some to wonder if it wasn’t such a good idea to build an open-air stadium in that part of the country. The Twins have played the fewest games of any major-league team and are near the bottom in most offensive categories. One player who doesn’t appear to be affected by the inconsistent schedule is catcher Joe Mauer, who’s hitting .366 with eight multi-hit games. He has struggled in his career against the Rangers, however, hitting .243 in 251 at-bats.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest (Texas), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Nick Tepesch (1-1, 3.07 ERA) vs. Twins RH Vance Worley (0-2, 7.11)

Tepesch will start on schedule despite getting knocked out of Sunday’s game in the second inning when he was hit in the right wrist and forearm area by a line drove off the bat of Seattle Mariners catcher Jesus Montero, drawing blood from the 24-year-old rookie. The Rangers are hoping to see more of what they witnessed in Tepesch’s major league debut April 9, when he allowed one run and four hits in 7 1/3 innings of a 6-1 victory against Tampa Bay. He wasn’t as effective in his only road start, lasting 5 2/3 innings while giving up four runs and nine hits in a 4-3 loss April 14 in Seattle.

Worley went into Wednesday with the fourth-highest ERA in the major leagues and the fifth-highest opponent batting average (.349). He looked much better in his most recent outing, however, allowing one run and five hits in seven innings Saturday against the Chicago White Sox. Worley did not earn a victory as the Twins won in 10 innings 2-1, but he left the stadium feeling good about his progress. “I had it figured out,” he said after the game. “I pitched. It wasn't me trying to overdo anything out there. It was just going after hitters and trusting my mechanics.” Worley has never faced Texas in his four-year career.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Twins have 136 hits through the first 17 games, the fewest in the major leagues.

2. Mauer is 16-for-32 in night games this season, hitting both of his home runs and collecting all eight of his RBIs.

3. X-rays were negative on the right knee of Rangers OF Jeff Baker, who was injured while crashing into the wall in the second inning of Tuesday’s loss to the Angels. He could be back in the lineup against the Twins.

PREDICTION: Rangers 8, Twins 5