Arizona @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( May 29, 2013 ) Arizona 0, Texas 0

A rainout on Wednesday has turned Arizona’s trip to Texas into a one-game foray. The Diamondbacks and host Rangers will play a single game on Thursday and will make up the rained-out game later this season. Arizona swept a home doubleheader from Texas on Monday before the scene shifted to Rangers Ballpark. Texas is mired in a season-worst three-game losing skid. The Rangers are 15-7 at home and the Diamondbacks are a solid 14-10 on the road.

Texas has scored just 10 runs during its losing streak. The Rangers have fared well at home against Arizona, compiling a 10-4 record. Second baseman Ian Kinsler’s rib injury from May 18 isn’t healing well and he could be sidelined into mid-June. The Diamondbacks have won three consecutive games and are leading the National League West. Wednesday’s rainout didn’t affect the pitching rotations as both teams pushed everyone back a day, meaning Arizona’s Brandon McCarthy and Texas’ Justin Grimm will both be on the hill Thursday.

TV: 2:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Brandon McCarthy (2-3, 4.36 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Justin Grimm (4-3, 4.05)

McCarthy has been sensational over his last three starts, allowing one run over 24 innings. His ERA was 6.75 before the sudden string of success. McCarthy beat San Diego in his last outing when he gave up one run and five hits in seven innings. He is 2-4 with a 3.97 ERA in 11 career appearances (nine starts) against Texas.

Grimm has won back-to-back outings after losing his previous three turns. He beat the Seattle Mariners in his last start when he gave up three runs and a season-worst 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings. Grimm is 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA in three home starts. Pennington (0-for-2) is the only Arizona batter he has faced.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona OF Gerardo Parra tweaked his left calf on Monday and will likely be in Thursday’s lineup.

2. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre is batting .419 with two homers in 31 at-bats while OF Nelson Cruz is just 1-for-17 against McCarthy.

3. Diamondbacks INF Martin Prado is in the midst of a 9-for-16 surge but is batting only .200 on the road.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Diamondbacks 3