Texas @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 6, 2018 ) Texas 1, Detroit 3

The Detroit Tigers seek consecutive home wins for the first time in nearly a month when they continue a four-game set with the Texas Rangers on Saturday. The Tigers had lost five straight at Comerica Park after dropping the series opener Thursday night, but they bounced back behind resurgent veteran Jordan Zimmermann to win the second game 3-1.

Zimmermann tossed eight solid innings with 11 strikeouts and James McCann's two-run homer held up as Detroit defeated Texas for just the sixth time in the last 23 meetings. Shin-Soo Choo provided all the offense for the Rangers with his 17th homer of the year as he extended his on-base streak to 45 games, one shy of Julio Franco's club record. Choo is 4-for-13 with three walks in his career against Mike Fiers, who starts for the Tigers on Saturday. Cole Hamels gets the nod for Texas, which is two games into a 10-game, 11-day road trip.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Cole Hamels (4-7, 4.05 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Mike Fiers (5-5, 3.79)

Hamels is coming off back-to-back rocky home turns in which he gave up 11 combined runs on 18 hits over 10 innings. Those efforts left him 1-6 with a 5.83 ERA at home, something that could be solved in the likely event the veteran southpaw is traded away from Texas. He is 3-1 with a 2.05 mark in eight road outings and has a 1.80 ERA in three career starts at Comerica Park.

Fiers is winless in his last five outings but has been dominant over the past two turns, allowing two runs in 15 combined innings. He lasted a season-high eight frames and yielded three hits in a no-decision at Toronto on Monday. The 33-year-old limited the Rangers to two runs in 5 1/3 frames to get the victory at Texas on May 8 but owns an 8.10 ERA in seven career encounters (six starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre is 0-for-8 in the series and remains two hits behind Hall of Famer Dave Winfield (3,110) for 20th on the all-time list.

2. Tigers closer RHP Shane Greene was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation after tests on his shoulder showed no significant issues.

3. Texas is 14-11 against the American League Central and 25-39 against all other opponents.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Rangers 4