Toronto @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 9, 2013 ) Texas 6, Toronto 4

As dominant as Yu Darvish has been so far this season, he has yet to beat a team from the formidable American League East. Darvish will look to change that Thursday as he leads the Texas Rangers into the opener of a four-game series against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. An early candidate for AL Cy Young honors, Darvish is no stranger to the Blue Jays after settling for a no-decision against them in his last start.

Darvish's counterpart may not be around for long as Toronto sends right-hander Esmil Rogers to the hill. Rogers will be making his third start since being converted from middle relief, and likely will find himself on a limit of around 70 pitches. The Blue Jays are coming off a split in Chicago after inclement weather wiped out the rubber match, while the Rangers look to rebound after dropping two of three to visiting Cleveland.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Esmil Rogers (1-2, 3.60 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Yu Darvish (7-2, 2.75)

Rogers has been Toronto's best pitcher over the past four weeks, allowing just one run over his last 16 2/3 innings. That run came against the Rangers, whom Rogers limited to three hits while striking out six during his four-inning stint. Rogers, who has a 2.45 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 7 1/3 career innings against Texas, was scheduled to start Toronto's series finale in Chicago before severe storms intervened.

Darvish threw seven strong innings last time out but quickly was forgotten as his Rangers went on to drop an 18-inning decision in Toronto. It was his ninth quality start of the season, evening him with Derek Holland for the team lead. Darvish has two no-decisions against the AL East in 2013 but has given Toronto fits over his two big-league seasons, going 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA while limiting Blue Jay hitters to a .198 average over 26 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto took two of three from the Rangers at Rogers Centre and has won the season series two of the past three years.

2. Blue Jays 1B/DH Adam Lind is hitting .398 over his last 30 games.

3. Opposing hitters are 8-for-54 with 24 strikeouts against Darvish with runners in scoring position.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Blue Jays 2