Detroit @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 12, 2012 ) Detroit 3, Texas 8

A pair of American League division leaders will square off when the Detroit Tigers visit the Texas Rangers in the opener of a four-game series on Thursday. A high-voltage pitching matchup is on tap when the Tigers send ace Justin Verlander to the mound to oppose Rangers' standout Yu Darvish. Verlander has dominated Texas throughout his career, going 7-2 with a 2.02 ERA in 11 starts, but Darvish went 3-0 against the Tigers last year in his rookie campaign.

The Rangers have gone 6-1 in their last seven and are coming off winning two of three in Oakland to build a seven-game lead over the Athletics in the AL West despite playing an AL-high 25 games away from home. The Tigers were unable to complete a three-game sweep of the lowly Houston Astros, dropping the series finale on Wednesday, and have cooled off a bit with five losses in their last eight games.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, Fox Sports Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (4-3, 1.93 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Yu Darvish (6-1, 2.73)

Verlander is coming off his worst outing, lasting only five innings and allowing season highs in runs (four) and walks (five) in a 7-6 loss to Cleveland. He had allowed only five earned runs in his previous five outings and had gone seven innings in four consecutive starts. Verlander has never lost in Arlington, posting a 3-0 record with 34 strikeouts and a dazzling 1.29 ERA in four starts. He has held Ian Kinsler to three hits in 25 at-bats.

Darvish continues to rack up the strikeouts, leading the majors with 80, and is 4-0 over his last five starts. He has been susceptible to the long ball of late, giving up all five of his homers and 10 runs in his last three outings. Darvish has limited opponents to a .163 batting average against, the best in the AL among starters with at least 39 innings. Reigning Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera is 2-for-8 with two RBIs against Darvish.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rangers won seven of 10 meetings with Detroit last year.

2. Cabrera is batting .371 with 54 RBIs in 52 career games against Texas.

3. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre is 11-for-35 with a homer and two doubles against Verlander.

PREDICTION: Tigers 3, Rangers 2