The Texas Rangers have won two straight and eight of their first nine games heading into a three-game set against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park

Texas Rangers at Detroit Tigers

Texas leads the majors with eight wins at this point of the season and its 8-1 record matches the best in club history through nine games.  The Rangers joined the 1989 team, which won 10 of its first 11, as the only ones in franchise history to start 8-1.  “We can play whatever the games asks us to play.  That’s what we play,” said manager Ron Washington.  “We do have guys up and down the lineup that can punch the ball out of the ball park.”  With the upcoming all-day games series in the Motor City, it’s worth noting that Texas is 4-0 in day contests in 2011.  The club is 129-101 versus right-handers the last three years.

Rangers starting pitcher Alexi Ogando is set to make his second major league start in the opener of this three-game series in Detroit.  The 27-year-old right-hander will be making his first-ever start on the road, as he was 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 19 relief appearances on the road last season.  Ogando has no record and a 3.86 ERA in three career relief appearances against the Tigers.  In his only outing at today’s venue, he allowed one run in 1.1 innings in a Rangers’ 8-6 14-inning win.  The second-year hurler tossed six scoreless frames against Seattle in his season debut.

Detroit lost for the third time in four games Sunday and committed a season-high four errors in a 9-5 loss to Kansas City.  The Tigers are going in an opposite direction of today’s opponent and are off to their worst nine-game start since beginning 1-8 in 2008.  “I don’t mind physical errors, but teams are going to take advantage of them,” said manager Jim Leyland.  The team as a whole is struggling to find itself, but start player Miguel Cabrera is off to a strong start, batting .355 with four home runs and nine RBIs through the first nine games.  Detroit is 104-61 at home the past three seasons.

Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA through two starts this season and will be making his 2011 home debut Monday.  The right-hander garnered his first win of the season last time out in a 7-3 road victory over the Orioles, allowing three runs and four hits over eight strong innings.  In his last six starts against Texas, Verlander is 5-0 with a 1.66 ERA.  He’s only allowed seven earned runs in 38 innings while striking out 45 during that span.  Verlander has posted solid numbers when pitching during the day, going 34-12 with a 3.32 ERA in 60 starts.

Bettors are likely to back the Tigers due to their 42-17 record in Verlander’s last 59 home starts, while the Rangers are 3-13 in the last 16 meetings in Detroit.