Baltimore @ Texas preview

Baltimore at Texas

Last Meeting ( Jul 19, 2013 ) Baltimore 3, Texas 1

The Baltimore Orioles look to keep pace in the competitive American League East on Saturday when they continue their three-game series against the host Texas Rangers. Although Baltimore posted its fifth win in six outings Friday to remain 4 1/2 games behind division-leading Boston, Chris Davis' struggles increased versus his former team. Davis, who fanned three times en route to an 0-for-4 performance in the 3-1 victory, is 1-for-17 with 11 strikeouts versus Texas this season.

A woeful 0-for-10 effort with runners in scoring position and sloppy defensive play Friday sent the Rangers careening to their fifth loss in six contests. Prior to Saturday's contest, Texas will induct former catcher Ivan Rodriguez into the team's Hall of Fame. The memory of former owner Brad Corbett, who passed away in December, will also be honored.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Miguel Gonzalez (7-3, 3.48 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Ross Wolf (1-2, 2.14)

Gonzalez handcuffed the Rangers over 6 2/3 strong innings to pick up the win in Baltimore's 3-1 triumph on July 11. The 29-year-old Mexican permitted just a solo homer among his four hits to improve to 5-1 in his last seven trips to the mound. Although Gonzalez's 2-3 mark away from home isn't impressive, he has registered a 1.23 WHIP while limiting the opposition to a .224 batting average.

With Texas' rotation whipped into disarray because of injury, Wolf made the most of his second start of the season. The 30-year-old pitched well, but the two solo homers he allowed over six innings proved to be his undoing in a 3-1 loss to Baltimore on July 11. Wolf also recorded an out in a relief appearance in that series' opener.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas OF Nelson Cruz was unable to start the series opener as he dealt with a migraine headache. Craig Gentry saw his first action since June 20 and had a sacrifice fly to account for the Rangers' lone run.

2. The Orioles have won the last three meetings and held the Rangers to one run in each contest.

3. Davis, who failed to go deep for the first time in five games Friday, is 2-for-4 with a home run versus Wolf in his career.

PREDICTION: Orioles 3, Rangers 1