Detroit Tigers vs. Texas Rangers: Game Time, TV/Radio Coverage, Lineup

July 14, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler (5) at bat against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers head back home after a successful road trip, but they’ll have a sour taste in their mouth after the way things went in Cleveland. Detroit took 6-of-9 from Baltimore, Boston, and Cleveland, but getting swept by the Indians — including two extra-innings defeats — wasn’t the note they wanted to end on.

Detroit Tigers (27-15) vs. Texas Rangers (22-24) — 1:08 PM EDT

Progressive Field — Cleveland, OH

TV: FSD

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for radio affiliates)

Weather: 69 degrees, partly cloudy

When We Last Met

The Detroit Tigers lost the season series to the Rangers 3-4 last season, but won the home portion of that slate 2-3. The last of these games was a 5-0 win for the Tigers in which the pitching staff combined to allow just two hits. Justin Verlander went seven innings of one-hit ball (with 3 SO and 3 BB), and Drew Smyly and Joaquin Benoit combined to allow just one more hit (0 BB, 3 SO) over the final two innings of the game.

Pitching Matchup

Yu Darvish just keeps getting better. Now in his third year from Japan, Darvish has put up a 2.32 ERA and 2.38 FIP while striking out nearly 11 batters per nine innings and walking just 2.5. Darvish appears to live mostly with the fastball (92-96) and slider, but can really mix in up to five or six different pitches when the situation calls for it. He’s one of the best in the game right now.

Robbie Ray will make one more spot start for the Tigers in place of Rick Porcello who had to be pushed back due to soreness in his left side. Ray has been very good in his two previous starts (and one relief appearance) — he now has a 0.75 ERA (2.23 FIP, 3.87 xFIP) in 12.0 total innings with 8 strikeouts and just 2 walks — but the Texas Rangers (even sans Prince Fielder) may prove to be a different animal than either the Houston Astros or Minnesota Twins.

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Tigers Lineup

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Torii Hunter, RF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Don Kelly, LF (!)
6. Austin Jackson, CF
7. Alex Avila, C
8. Nick Castellanos, 3B
9. Andrew Romine, SS

Injuries

Detroit Tigers

• Luke Putkonen – 15-day DL
• Joel Hanrahan – 15-day DL
• Andy Dirks – 60-day DL
• Jose Iglesias – 60-day DL
• Bruce Rondon – 60-day DL

Texas Rangers

• Prince Fielder – Day-to-day
• Leonys Martin – Day-to-day
• Alexi Ogando – Day-to-day
• Cory Burns – Day-to-day
• Kevin Kouzmanoff – 15-day DL
• Donnie Murphy – 15-day DL
• Jim Adduci – 15-day DL
• Engel Beltre – 15-day DL
• Joe Saunders – 15-day DL
• Matt Harrison – 15-day DL
• Tanner Scheppers – 15-day DL
• Geovany Soto – 60-day DL
• Jurickson Profar – 60-day DL
• Derek Holland – 60-day DL
• Joe Ortiz – 60-day DL