Texas @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 26, 2013 ) Texas 4, Minnesota 3

The story of the season for the Texas Rangers hasn’t been their potent offense, but rather their strong pitching, especially from a group of youngsters who weren’t expected to contribute much. The Rangers will look for another solid outing from their staff when they visit the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. The Rangers, who lead the major leagues with a 2.77 ERA, came within one out of blanking the Twins before Oswaldo Arcia tagged closer Joe Nathan for a three-run homer in Texas' 4-3 victory.

Minnesota dropped its second straight one-run game Friday and leading hitter Joe Mauer is 0-for-7 in the series, making him hitless in four of the last five games. The Twins might want to find a spot higher in the lineup for Arcia. The rookie left fielder hit his second three-run homer in the last four games with two outs in the ninth Friday. His three-run homer was the difference in a 4-3 victory Tuesday against the Miami Marlins. Arcia is tied for second on the team with two home runs despite playing only seven games.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest (Texas), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Derek Holland (1-1, 3.25 ERA) vs. Twins LH Pedro Hernandez (0-0, 3.48)

Holland entered the weekend with the highest ERA among the Texas starters, which shows just how strong the group has been this season. He’s coming off his roughest start this season, giving up six runs, six hits and four walks in 5 2/3 innings Monday at the Los Angeles Angels. The Rangers rallied from a three-run deficit after Holland departed to win 7-6. Holland is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in seven career starts against Minnesota. He made one start against the Twins last season, failing to earn a decision after throwing six innings and allowing three runs and six hits in a game the Twins eventually won 4-3 in 10 innings. Josh Willingham homered off Holland in that game.

Eliminating the rust will be the first step for Hernandez, who hasn’t started a game since April 7. He has pitched 5 1/3 innings of relief since, allowing one run and five hits in those outings. Hernandez, a 24-year-old Venezuelan, has thrown 14 1/3 innings in his major league career with two starts. None of the players on Texas have faced him before. Hernandez originally signed with the San Diego Padres as an international free agent in 2009. Following the 2011 season, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Carlos Quentin. Last summer, he was dealt to the Twins in exchange for left-hander Francisco Liriano.

WALKS-OFFS

1. Mauer is 3-for-14 in his career against Holland and Twins 1B Justin Morneau is 2-for-9.

2. The Rangers are the only team in the major leagues that has yet to lose a series this season, and the only team that hasn’t lost two in a row.

3. Rangers OF Nelson Cruz has at least one RBI in six straight games, which ties Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers and Todd Frazier of the Cincinnati Reds for the longest streak this season. It also matches Cruz's career high.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Twins 1