Arizona @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 13, 2018 ) Arizona 3, Texas 5

The Arizona Diamondbacks are struggling as they prepare for the middle contest of a nine-game road trip against last-place teams. Arizona is just 1-3 on the trek and hopes to begin a turnaround when it visits the Texas Rangers on Tuesday for the finale of their two-game interleague series.

The Diamondbacks began the trip by losing two of three at Cincinnati (National League Central) and look to split with Texas (American League West) before traveling to San Diego (NL West) for a four-game set. Robinson Chirinos hit a go-ahead, three-run homer as part of a four-RBI performance and Ronald Guzman belted a solo shot as Texas posted a 5-3 win in Monday's opener. The Rangers are 15 games below .500 and way out of the postseason race but have won 11 of their last 17 and scored 11 or more runs six times during that stretch. Arizona's loss left it with one-game lead over both Colorado and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (9-4, 3.15 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (7-1, 6.11)

Corbin dominated Philadelphia in his last outing as he gave up four hits and struck out nine in 7 1/3 innings of a 4-0 victory. The 29-year-old has gone 3-0 over his last four turns with 34 strikeouts against just two walks in 26 1/3 innings. Corbin, who never has faced the Rangers, is 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 11 road starts this season.

Gallardo has won four straight starts, allowing fewer than three runs in three of the outings. The 32-year-old defeated Seattle in his last turn as he gave up two runs and three hits over six innings. Gallardo is 7-2 with a 2.37 ERA in 13 career starts against Arizona, and both his losses came in 2015 during his first stint with the Rangers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre (hamstring) departed the opener and is slated to undergo an MRI exam on Tuesday.

2. Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt recorded his ninth multi-hit performance since the All-Star break on Monday to extend his hitting streak to seven games.

3. Texas MGR Jeff Banister said he wants to see OF Nomar Mazara (thumb) play in the field in back-to-back rehab games before the club activates him from the 10-day disabled list.

PREDICTION: Rangers 8, Diamondbacks 6