The bad news is that, on Friday, the Texas Rangers will face Chicago ace Mark Buehrle, the man who no-hit them in 2007 at U.S. Cellular Field. Buehrle comes into Arlington on Friday the owner of a 3-0 record and a 3.00 ERA on the year.
The good news is that the White Sox have to actually score some runs to win the ballgame; this is something they’ve struggled with all year.
Chicago has averaged just above three runs per game over their past three series; this is partly due to a string of injuries that has left the White Sox lineup depleted somewhat. Jim Thome may be headed to the DL with a sore left heel. Centerfielder Brian Anderson (oblique strain) and second baseman Chris Getz (broken finger) are both game-time decisions.
Texas, who will be without Josh Hamilton for the series, comes into the opener with a team ERA over a run higher than that of the White Sox.
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Their 123 runs scored is the sixth best in the MLB; the trouble is, they’ve allowed 127 (118 earned), the fourth most in the league.
In game one, Texas will start Scott Feldman in the stead of Kris Benson, who has been sidelined with what was initially thought to be elbow tendonitis. Benson is scheduled to make his next start.
To be sure, Feldman isn’t wanting for any motivation. He threw five solid innings in his first start of the year, allowing one run on four hits in a 6-5 win in Baltimore last week.
The 26 year-old had a 12.15 ERA in three rough relief appearances this season before Benson’s injury, but another good outing could have him back in the rotation, where he spent most of last season.
Texas will face a struggling Jose Contreras on Saturday. Contreras has a career 8.69 ERA against the Rangers, who will start Brandon McCarthy.
In a bittersweet reunion of sorts, the man who was traded for McCarthy, John Danks, will face the team who drafted him in the finale, facing Matt Harrison. The former prize of the Rangers’ farm system is currently 2-1 with a 2.74 ERA.
On Monday, Texas will head to Seattle to face the first place Mariners at Safeco Field.
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