Stop me if this sounds familiar. The Texas Rangers took a 3-1 ALCS lead before dropping Game 5 on the road, and then returned home for Game 6, and a chance to punch a ticket to the World Series.
The Rangers are hoping for déjà vu tonight, as they return home to host the Tigers in the ALCS, looking to close out Detroit in six, just as they did last year to the New York Yankees.
Derek Holland will take the mound for the Rangers, looking to improve on his Game 2 outing. Holland lasted just 2 and 2/3 innings in Game 2, giving up three runs on four hits while walking four and striking out none. Ron Washington had a quick hook to the bullpen, and rightfully so, as Scott Feldman stopped the bleeding for the Rangers. Feldman pitched 4 and 1/3 innings of shutout relief, allowing only one hit.
Max Scherzer gets the ball from Tigers manager Jim Leyland, as Detroit looks to force a decisive Game 7. Scherzer, like Holland, started Game 2 of this series. Scherzer pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk, while striking out six.
Texas' offense has yet to really come alive, despite Nelson Cruz' efforts to carry the team on his back. Both Elvis Andrus and Michael Young are hitting under .200 for the postseason thus far, and both are also slugging under .200. Only Ian Kinsler, David Murphy and Cruz have OPS' above .810 in the playoffs.
First pitch on Saturday night is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT, from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Televised coverage can be found nationally on FOX.