Ogando, Rangers Look To Sweep Orioles

The Texas Rangers send Alexi Ogando to the mound on Wednesday night as the Rangers look to sweep the Baltimore Orioles. 

Texas has outscored Baltimore 17-6 in the first two games of the series so far, winning 13-4 on Independence Day before winning 4-2 on Tuesday night.

Ogando will be making his 17th start of the season. There had been some speculation that Ogando would be skipped in the rotation - not because of poor performance, but because Ogando has already exceeded his career high in innings pitched. Ogando is 8-3 on the year thus far for Texas, with a 2.86 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. Ogando has struck out 73 in 97.2 innings of work as well, while walking just 22. A good case could be made that Ogando is a more deserving All-Star selection than teammate C.J. Wilson.

The Orioles will send Jeremy Guthrie to the mound as they look to avoid being swept. Guthrie has an awful 3-10 record, but is a prime example of why records are meaningless for pitchers. Guthrie has pitched well, to the tune of a 3.93 ERA and 1.27 WHIP while striking out 72 over 110 innings. 

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Texas' Offense Looks To Stay Hot Against Mitch Atkins, Orioles

The Texas Rangers' offense exploded for 13 runs on Independence Day against the Baltimore Orioles as the Rangers cruised to a 13-4 win. On Tuesday night, the Rangers' offense looks to stay hot as they play host to the Baltimore Orioles once again.

The Orioles will send Mitch Atkins to the mound to try to simmer Texas' bats. The appearance will be the first of 2011 in the big leagues for Atkins. Atkins has, however, logged 82 innings in the minors, spanning the Carolina, Eastern and International Leagues. Combined, Atkins is the owner of a 3.18 ERA and .218 BAA with 62 strikeouts against 27 walks. Atkins is sure to face much stiffer competition in Arlington tonight.

The Rangers will counter with Matt Harrison, who will be looking to earn his seventh win of the season. Harrison is currently 6-7 with a 3.30 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 54 strikeouts in 90 innings. Harrison is also holding opposing batters to a .241 average. 

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT.

Rangers Host Orioles On Independence Day

The Texas Rangers have to be glad that interleague play is over. After dropping two of three to the Marlins, the Rangers finished interleague play with an even 9-9 record - not something you come to expect out of a playoff team, and the defending American League champions no less. On Monday, the Rangers play host to the Orioles on Independence Day.

Colby Lewis gets the nod for the Rangers as he looks to get his own record over .500 for the first time since April 2. Lewis is 7-7 on the year with a 4.32 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. He's struck out 83 batters in 100 innings against just 27 walks thus far. Lewis, though, has given up 20 home runs, which have helped lead to a few of his disaster starts this year.

Buck Showalter will send Chris Jakubauskas to the mound to take on the Rangers. Jakubauskas does have a 2-1 record on the year - but this is another case where records are entirely misleading. The Jaku-saurus is the owner of a 5.68 ERA and 1.68 WHIP on the season, so he's been plenty hittable.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT.