The Texas Rangers are still crossing their fingers to see the old Colby Lewis return after two surgeries that had him on the shelf from July 2012 until mid-April of this season.
Lewis is also hoping for that return. And right now, Lewis will just take a quality start as he takes the mound Tuesday night to open a three-game home set against the hot-hitting Detroit Tigers. It's understandable that Lewis would have that goal in mind. After all, he hasn't had a quality start in his 12 starts this season and not since June 17, 2012 after missing all of 2013.
On that day against the Houston Astros, Lewis pitched seven innings, gave up one run on three hits and fanned 10 Astros hitters. He started two more games after that before being shut down and going under the knife to repair a torn flexor tendon in his elbow.
Now, he has to deal with a Tigers team that is coming to town on the heels of a four-game win streak and has some hitters that have tortured Lewis over his career.
Austin Jackson tops them all, as the Denton native is a career 10-for-24 against Lewis. Miguel Cabrera is 7-for-20 against Lewis, and Victor Martinez is 8-for-17.
