Detroit @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 23, 2015 ) Texas 4, Detroit 2

The Texas Rangers are closing in on a surprise division crown, and they look to take another step toward clinching the American League West when they host the Detroit Tigers on Monday. The Rangers were an abysmal 67-95 in 2014 before this season's stunning turnaround, which has them leading Houston by 2 1/2 games with seven contests remaining.

Texas allowed the AL West race to tighten up by losing two straight to Houston while the red-hot Los Angeles Angels sit three games back. Texas hosts the Angels in a season-ending four-game set and would like to clinch the division while they have the disappointing Tigers in town for three contests. Detroit was outscored 13-3 while losing its last two games to Minnesota and is out of the playoff mix after four straight appearances. Tigers star Miguel Cabrera is set to win his fourth career batting title, but his string of consecutive 100-RBI campaigns will end at 11.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (4-8, 3.49 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Colby Lewis (17-8, 4.36)

Verlander allowed three runs and five runs in seven innings while defeating the Chicago White Sox in his last turn. He has won three of his last six starts after capturing just one of his first 12 in an injury-shortened season. Verlander is 8-5 with a 2.99 ERA in 15 career outings against Texas and has struck out Shin-Soo Choo 23 times in 55 at-bats (.236, two home runs).

Lewis has won three consecutive starts, giving up just four runs in 21 innings during the streak. The 36-year-old is 8-2 at home in 15 outings despite posting a mediocre 4.48 ERA. Lewis scattered six hits over seven scoreless frames to defeat the Tigers on Aug. 21 and is 4-3 with a 5.20 ERA in 10 career appearances (nine starts) versus Detroit.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus is 2-for-13 over his last four games.

2. Detroit 2B Ian Kinsler is batting .404 and slugging .702 in 47 at-bats against Texas since the Rangers traded him to the Tigers following the 2013 season.

3. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre has recorded 10 multi-hit performances in his last 15 games and is hitting .313 this month.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Tigers 2