Texas @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 7, 2013 ) Texas 1, Toronto 6

Major-league strikeout leader Yu Darvish looks to end a three-start victory drought when the Texas Rangers visit the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday in the second contest of a three-game set. Darvish, who has 111 strikeouts, hasn’t won since May 16 despite enjoying a standout campaign. Toronto won Friday’s series opener as Melky Cabrera went 3-for-4 with a homer and Edwin Encarnacion drilled the tiebreaking two-run double in a 6-1 win.

Toronto’s bullpen combined for seven strikeouts in five innings of one-hit shutout ball on Friday and Texas batters fanned 13 times overall. The Rangers have lost seven of their last 11 games and are really struggling on the road, winning just one of their last seven. The usually potent Texas offense has scored three or fewer runs in five of the last six contests while averaging 2.7 runs during the stretch.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest (Texas), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yu Darvish (7-2, 2.77 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Mark Buehrle (2-4, 5.42)

Darvish has allowed only five runs in 20 2/3 innings during the three-outing stretch and held Kansas City to three hits over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision in his last start. He allowed nine homers over his previous six starts before keeping the Royals in the ballpark. Darvish is 2-1 with a 3.32 ERA in three career starts against Toronto.

Buehrle is 12-5 with a 3.42 ERA against the Rangers in 20 career appearances (17 starts). He lost to San Diego in his last outing when he gave up four runs (three earned) and a season-high 10 hits in six innings. Buehrle has pitched at least six innings in nine of his last 10 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Encarnacion is 5-for-8 with two homers and four RBIs against Darvish.

2. Rangers C A.J. Pierzynski is 8-for-20 against Buehrle, his former batterymate with the White Sox.

3. Texas OF Nelson Cruz (hamstring) is expected back after missing the series opener.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Blue Jays 1