Thursday, May 29, 1:10 PM on FSSW, FSN

Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Texas Rangers - Martinez, N (1-1) vs. Minnesota Twins - Deduno, S (1-3)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday afternoon, Nick Martinez and the Texas Rangers will take on Samuel Deduno and the Minnesota Twins.   Martinez will be making his 5th start and 10th appearance as Deduno makes his 5th start and 12th appearance.

Nick Martinez got his first win of the season in his last outing and he comes into this one with a 1 – 1 record and a 2.14 ERA.  The last time out, Martinez pitched 6 solid innings and allowed just a run on 8 hits with a walk and 2 strikeouts.   The rookie right-hander seems to settling into his position as the Rangers’ 5th starter and should continue to improve as the season moves forward.

Without any experience against the Twins, Martinez will probably rely on the scouting report and advice from the rest of the pitching staff for clues as to how to handle the Minnesota lineup.

Samuel Deduno dropped to 1 - 3 with a 3.48 ERA after taking the loss in his last outing.  In that start, Deduno surrendered 2 runs on 4 hits (including a homer) in 5.2 innings as he walked 3 and struck out 4.  Deduno still has a chance to post better results than last season when he went 8 - 8 with an ERA of 3.83 in 18 starts.

In 2013, Deduno didn’t face the Rangers and he has only faced 6 hitters in the Texas lineup.  But Deduno will need to pitch carefully to Adrian Beltre.  Beltre is 5 of 6 with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs against the right-hander.         

Texas Rangers Betting Trends

Texas Rangers are 24-22-5 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Texas Rangers is -0.2

Minnesota Twins Betting Trends

Minnesota Twins are 29-17-2 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Minnesota Twins is -0.5

Injuries to Watch

Texas Rangers

"05/22/14 1B Prince Fielder Neck 15-day DL (5/17)
05/21/14 P Martin Perez Elbow 60-day DL (5/11)
05/14/14 P Matt Harrison Back 15-day DL (5/14)
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)"

Minnesota Twins

"05/27/14 RF Sam Fuld Concussion 15-day DL (5/8)
05/03/14 P Mike Pelfrey Groin 15-day DL (5/1)"

Tony's Pick: Take Texas

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink