twins at texas

series preview

THREE-GAME SERIES AT rangers ballpark in arlington

Friday, 7:05 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Liam Hendriks (0-2, 6.20 ERA) vs. RHP Yu Darvish (12-5, 2.68)

Saturday, 7:05 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Mike Pelfrey (5-10, 5.06) vs.

RHP Matt Garza (3-2, 4.44)

Sunday, 2:05 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Kevin Correia (8-10, 4.32) vs.

LHP Travis Blackley (2-1, 4.80)

TWINS UPDATE

The Twins visit the state of Texas for three games against the Rangers followed by three at Houston. ... The Twins and Rangers last met in April when they split four games at Target Field. ... Correia pitched his best game of the year in that series, shutting out the Rangers for eight innings as he improved to 3-1. ... Trevor Plouffe needs one more double to tie his career high of 19, set last season. ... The Twins were 2-5 at Texas last season.

Rangers UPDATE

Darvish would be in contention for the AL Cy Young if Max Scherzer wasn't 19-1. Darvish has been dominant and has flirted with no-hitters. He leads the AL with 225 strikeouts and 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings. ... Former Twins are sprinkled over the Rangers roster, with Garza, closer Joe Nathan, catcher A.J. Pierzynski and manager Ron Washington. ... Alex Rios is batting .261 with one home run and seven RBI in 17 games since being acquired from the White Sox.

LA VELLE E. NEAL III