Friday, May 23, 7:08 PM on KTXA, FSDT

Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan

Texas Rangers - Baker, S (0-0) vs. Detroit Tigers - Sanchez, A (1-2)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Friday night, the Texas Rangers will give the ball to Scott Baker as they square off against the Detroit Tigers and Anibal Sanchez.  It will be Baker’s first start and second appearance as Sanchez makes his 7th start.

Scott Baker will get the call from Triple-A Round Rock once again and this time he will get a chance at earning a spot in the starting rotation.   Baker had a relief appearance on May 7th and in that game he surrendered 2 runs on 4 hits in 5.1 innings with a walk and 2 strikeouts.  This season in the minors, Baker was 4 – 1 with a 3.32 ERA in 6 starts.  In 2013, Baker made 3 starts for the Chicago Cubs with a 0 – 0 record and an ERA of 3.60. 

Last season, Baker didn’t pitch against the Tigers but he has some experience against some of the Detroit hitters.  Baker might want to consider pitching away from Miguel Cabrera because Cabrera is batting .343 with 3 home runs and 11 RBIs against the right-hander.

Anibal Sanchez picked up his first win of the season in his last outing and that gave him a 1 – 2 record with an ERA of 2.89.  In the start, Sanchez’s first in 3 weeks because of blisters on his right middle finger, he gave up 2 runs on 5 hits in 5 innings.  Sanchez walked 3 and struck out 3.  It will be tough for him to match last year’s results when he went 14 – 8 with a 2.57 ERA in 29 starts, but there is still plenty of time left in the season.

In 2013, Sanchez took a beating in his only start against the Rangers. He had an ERA of 16.88 after allowing 6 runs on 9 hits in just 2.2 innings of work.  And he will need to keep an eye on Adrian Beltre as Beltre is 4 of 5 with 3 RBIS against the right-hander.  

Texas Rangers Betting Trends

Texas Rangers are 20-21-4 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Texas Rangers is 0.3

Detroit Tigers Betting Trends

Detroit Tigers are 18-21-2 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Detroit Tigers is 0.3

Injuries to Watch

Texas Rangers

05/21/14 1B Prince Fielder Neck questionable
05/21/14 P Martin Perez Elbow 60-day DL (5/11)
05/14/14 P Matt Harrison Back 15-day DL (5/14)
05/08/14 3B Donnie Murphy Neck 15-day DL (5/8)
04/25/14 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff Back 15-day DL (4/23)
04/23/14 P Pedro Figueroa Elbow 60-day DL (4/23)
04/19/14 LF James Adduci Finger 15-day DL (4/19)
04/18/14 P Tanner Scheppers Elbow 15-day DL (4/18)
04/08/14 P Joe Saunders Ankle 15-day DL (4/5)
03/31/14 C Geovany Soto Knee 60-day DL (3/30)
03/31/14 2B Jurickson Profar Shoulder 60-day DL (3/23)
03/28/14 P Derek Holland Knee 60-day DL (3/3)
03/28/14 RF Engel Beltre Leg 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Joe Ortiz Foot 60-day DL (2/14)

Detroit Tigers

05/21/14 RF Torii Hunter Rest questionable
05/02/14 P Joel Hanrahan Elbow 15-day DL (5/2)
04/21/14 P Luke Putkonen Elbow 15-day DL (4/19)
03/28/14 LF Andy Dirks Back 60-day DL (3/29)
03/28/14 P Bruce Rondon Elbow 60-day DL (3/29), out for season
03/27/14 SS Jose Iglesias Stress Fracture 60-day DL (3/29)

Josh's Pick: Take Detroit

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