The intense battle for the American League West division between the Texas Rangers (80-58) and Oakland Athletics (79-59) could reach a boiling point today at 3:35 p.m. in O.co Coliseum in the rubber match of a three-game series that could put Oakland in a first-place tie. Live stream the action here; Rangers fans can listen to the game on 103.3 ESPN Radio, while A's fans can do the same on 95.7 FM The Game.
The Rangers may be in Oakland's house today, but they will have the benefit of ace Yu Darvish (12-6, 2.73 ERA) toeing the rubber. While Darvish is without question the best pitcher on Texas' staff, he is 0-2 against the A's in 2013. In the two losses, Darvish has tossed 12 innings, struck out 15 batters, walked five, given up 11 hits and notched a 3.75 ERA.
In his last start, Darvish was beaten by the Minnesota Twins despite bringing a no-hitter into the seventh inning and finishing with 11 strikeouts. Speaking on that outing, Rangers catcher A.J. Pierzynski said, "He made two mistakes and they didn't miss them. Strikeouts are great, but the biggest thing is we've got to win the game." Those words can clearly apply to his history against Oakland.
The Rangers may also have to forge ahead without shortstop Elvis Andrus for the fourth straight game while he deals with back soreness. "I feel better for sure than the past few days," Andrus said. "I still feel some pain in the middle of my lower back, but it's a lot less. I'm trying to get my body ready to go but I don't want to be out there 50 percent."
The A's are countering Darvish with Jarrod Parker (10-6, 3.59 ERA), who has been very good in three starts against Texas this year. In 2013, Parker is 2-1 with a 3.15 ERA against the AL West leaders.
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