The Chicago White Sox (53-45) and Texas Rangers (58-39) will open up a three-game American League series on Friday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:05 ET

Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers

Chicago hits the road after completing a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins and enjoying an off day, as the clubhouse isn’t ready to conceded the AL Central division to the Detroit Tigers.  “I think you get that feeling back,” commented White Sox manager Robin Ventura.  Outfielder Alex Rios is the player to watch offensively, batting .386 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs in his last 25 games.  The club needs just one victory in this series to win its first season series against Texas since 2004.  Chicago is 17-6 when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.

White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (11-3, 2.37 ERA) suffered a 7-1 road loss to the Detroit Tigers in his last effort, allowing five runs and seven hits over seven frames.  The left-hander is 6-1 with a 3.03 ERA in 10 road games (nine starts), allowing just four home runs in 62.1 combined innings.  In five career appearances (one start) against the Rangers, Sale has compiled a 1-0 record and 1.69 ERA.

Texas owns the franchise’s best record ever after 97 games, but has gone just 6-5 since the All-Star break.  “It’s a grind for us,” commented Rangers manager Ron Washington.  “We just have to keep going out and playing consistent baseball.”  The Rangers are 31-17 at home this season, winning 21 of their last 30 contests, while capturing a 22-4-2 record in its last 28 series played here.  Texas is 9-6 as a home favorite of -125 to -150, with the “under” going 8-6 in those contests.

Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish (11-6, 3.88 ERA) snapped a two-game losing streak by capturing a 9-2 road win over the Los Angeles Angels, striking out at least 10 batters for the third time in four appearances.  The right-hander is 7-1 with a 3.50 ERA in eight home outings, issuing 20 walks and fanning 64 batters in 54 combined frames.  Darvish will be facing the White Sox for the first time in his career.

Sports bettors will likely back the Rangers due to their 7-1 mark in Darvish’s last eight starts as a home favorite, while the White Sox are 0-4 as an underdog.

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