Texas @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 26, 2013 ) Texas 8, Cleveland 11
After flexing their offensive muscle in their last two outings, the Cleveland Indians will face a stern test on Saturday when they face right-hander Yu Darvish and the visiting Texas Rangers. The Indians have scored a gaudy 21 runs in their last two tilts - highlighted by Ryan Raburn's walk-off three-run homer in the 11th inning of Friday's 11-8 series-opening triumph over the Rangers. Known primarily for his speed, Michael Bourn followed his first career grand slam in Wednesday's 10-1 victory over Seattle by driving in three runs on Friday.
Runs have been hard to come by for Texas, which mustered just 28 en route to losing nine of 12 games before Friday's setback. Prior to his three-hit effort Friday, Adrian Beltre pointed the finger at himself for his team's struggles. "I'm not contributing the way I should," he said. "The whole team is in a funk not getting the big hit and the big blame is on me."
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSSW (Texas), STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yu Darvish (9-4, 2.86 ERA) vs. Indians RH Justin Masterson (11-7, 3.60)
Darvish recorded his second scoreless outing in three starts after he came off the disabled list to scatter two hits over 6 1/3 innings against the New York Yankees on Sunday. The 26-year-old Japan native continues to struggle with his control, issuing multiple walks in each of his last eight starts. Darvish dropped his lone career start versus Cleveland, but struck out 11 over six innings.
Masterson will look to improve upon an 0-4 career mark and 6.49 ERA versus the Rangers when he takes the mound on Saturday. The 28-year-old has permitted just five hits in his last two outings - including a one-hit, eight-strikeout gem over seven innings in a 7-1 win against Minnesota on Sunday. Masterson kept his control in check and did not walk a batter after totaling nine free passes in his previous two starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Texas SS Elvis Andrus has hit safely in all 35 career games versus Cleveland. He is 5-for-10 in his career versus Masterson.
2. Indians 1B/RF Nick Swisher homered on Friday to extend his hitting streak to six games.
3. Texas RF Nelson Cruz matched last season's total with his 24th homer on Friday.
PREDICTION: Rangers 2, Indians 0