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Wednesday night's Rangers-White Sox game features a pair of 24-year-old pitchers: Rangers up-and-coming rookie Nick Tepesch and White Sox standout left-hander Chris Sale. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. on FSSW and ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM (1540 AM in Spanish).

Tepesch (2-1. 2.53): Tepesch, maybe the best story of the first month of the season, makes his fifth career start. ... He picked up his second win Thursday at Minnesota, taking a shutout into the seventh inning. He allowed one run in 6⅔ innings and didn't walk anyone as the Rangers held on for a 2-1 victory. Tepesch retired the first 12 batters in order. He gave up a hit to three of the last four batters he faced, including a solo home run by Josh Willingham. ... It was Tepesch's first start since being hit on the right wrist/forearm area by a line drive against Seattle, knocking him out of the game in the second inning. ... Tepesch is getting it done with ground balls. He has recorded 39 ground-ball outs against 15 fly outs for a 72.2 ground ball percentage. ... He also hasn't been walking anyone and will look to build on a 19⅓ consecutive innings streak without a base on balls. ... He is 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA and just six hits allowed in two home starts.

Sale (2-2, 4.09 ERA): Sale, one of the top young pitchers in baseball, makes his sixth start of the season. ... He won his last outing against Tampa Bay, allowing two runs on four hits in seven innings. He had seven strikeouts and four walks. ... Sale has pitched at least seven innings in four of his five starts. ... He has a 3.20 ERA since the start of the 2012 season, the fifth-lowest mark in the American League. ... Sale is 2-1 with a 3.71 ERA in six games, including two starts, against the Rangers. ... He won his previous start at Texas, allowing five runs and six hits in 6⅓ innings ... He is 1-0 with a 7.04 ERA in three appearances at Rangers Ballpark. ... His fastball velocity averages 92.2 mph this season ... He also throws a slider and a changeup.

Hitters: Tepesch faces the White Sox for the first time in his career. Adrian Beltre (4-for-8) and Nelson Cruz (3-for-6, 1 HR, 3 RBIs) have had success against Sale.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Two starters coming off back-to-back wins will square off as the Texas Rangers' Yu Darvish opposes the Chicago White Sox's Jose Quintana on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game set. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. CT on Fox Sports Southwest and ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM, with the Spanish broadcast on 1540 AM.

PODCAST
Ron Washington joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss Yu Darvish, the Rangers' recent losses and if the notion that the team looked fatigued is warranted this early in the season. Listen

Darvish (4-1, 1.65 ERA): Darvish, 26, has gone back-to-back outings and a total of 18 consecutive innings going back three starts without allowing a run. … He struck out 11 over six innings his last time out in an 11-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. The right-hander has notched double-digit strikeouts in back-to-back games. He has yet to strike out 10 or more hitters in three consecutive starts in his major league career. … Darvish faced Chicago once last season and was saddled with the loss after allowing six runs – five earned – on eight hits and three walks with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings on July 27. … Darvish is 5-0 in seven regular-season home starts since losing to the White Sox.

Quintana (2-0, 2.78 ERA): The left-hander lasted just five innings against Cleveland in his last outing but got the win in Chicago’s 3-2 victory after allowing two runs on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts. … Quintana’s three strikeouts against the Indians tied a season low. … The 24-year-old picked up the win in his only career outing against Texas last season, allowing one run on just two hits and a walk while striking out eight through eight innings on July 5. … Quintana has yet to allow an earned run on the road this season, having given up a combined six hits and two walks in 13 2/3 innings with 14 strikeouts against Cleveland and Toronto. Quintana was better on the road (3.42 ERA in 12 appearances) than at home (4.13 ERA in 13 appearances) last season.

Hitters: Gordon Beckham (2-for-3) is the only White Sox player with multiple hits or an extra base hit against Darvish, but he’s on the disabled list with a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist. Rangers hitters are a combined 2-for-19 against Quintana. Adrian Beltre and Ian Kinsler own the only two hits.

Up Next:

Wednesday vs. Chicago: RHP Nick Tepesch (2-1, 2.53) vs. LHP Chris Sale (2-2, 4.09), 7:05 p.m. CT, ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/FSSW
Thursday vs. Chicago: RHP Justin Grimm (2-0, 1.59) vs. RHP Jake Peavy (3-1, 3.38) 7:05 p.m. CT, ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/FSSW

The Rangers send right-hander Alexi Ogando to the mound Sunday against Minnesota right-hander Kevin Correia in a 1:10 p.m. start at Target Field on FSSW and ESPN-FM 103.3 and 1540-AM. The Rangers will try to win their sixth series of the season.

Ogando (2-1, 3.12): Ogando makes his sixth start of the season, the most by any Rangers pitcher ... He will try to build off a solid outing in his previous start against the Los Angeles Angels ... Ogando allowed two earned runs in seven innings for his longest start of the season ... He survived an early error by first baseman Mitch Moreland that cost him two unearned runs ... Ogando also allowed a two-run home run to Howie Kendrick in the fourth inning to fall behind 4-0 ... This is Ogando's fifth road start in 2013 ... He is 3-1 with a 3.32 ERA in his past eight road starts ... Ogando statistically is one of the Rangers' most efficient starters among pitchers with at least 250 innings with the lowest opponents on-base average at .285 ... Ogando will make his first start against the Twins, the only American League team he has never started against ... He has allowed one run in six relief innings against Minnesota with eight strikeouts and no walks ... He has 2⅔ shutout innings at Target Field.

Correia (2-1, 2.86): Correia has won two consecutive starts after beating Miami in the first game of a split day-night doubleheader Tuesday ... He allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings ... He had five strikeouts and walks ... Correia signed as a free agent with the Twins on Dec. 13, 2012 ... Correia doesn't beat him himself with four walks in 28⅓ innings ... Opponents are batting .264 against him ... Correia has pitched at least seven innings in all four of his starts ... He has made one start against the Rangers on June 27, 2009, allowing three runs on five hits in seven innings ... He had nine strikeouts to tie his career high.

Hitters: Adrian Beltre (4-for-10, 2 HRs, 2 RBIs) and Lance Berkman (3-for-11, 1 HR, 4 RBIs) have had success against Correia. The current Twins are 4-for-11 against Ogando with no home runs or RBIs.

The Rangers go for their fourth straight victory Saturday afternoon at Minnesota's Target Field when left-hander Derek Holland faces Twins left-hander Pedro Hernandez at 3:10 p.m. on FSSW and ESPN-FM 103.3 and 1270-AM.

Holland (1-1, 3.25): Holland comes in off of his first rough outing of the season, when he allowed six runs in 5 2/3 innings to the Los Angeles Angels ... He had allowed four runs in his first three starts ... Holland was hurt by control issues with four walks ... He still made it to the sixth inning with the score tied before he allowed three runs, two of them scoring on a two-run single by Angels third baseman Luis Jimenez off of Rangers reliever Jason Frasor ... Holland has put up some important numbers including not allowing a home run in his last three starts, matching his longest career streak ... He allowed 32 last season ... This is his third consecutive road start ... Holland allowed two hits in seven innings at the Chicago Cubs on April 16 ... He is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in seven career starts vs. the Twins ... He is 0-2 with a 6.75 at Minnesota's Target Field.

Hernandez (0-0, 3.86): The Twins' fifth starter makes only his second start, with all of Minnesota's postponed games eliminating the need for his turn in the rotation ... The 24-year-old left-hander allowed three runs in five innings against Baltimore on April 7 ... He had three strikeouts and three walks ... That was the second career start for Hernandez ... He's pitched out of the bullpen twice since his start against the Orioles ... He threw a scoreless inning against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday ... He will make his first appearance against the Rangers ... Hernandez is 0-1 with a 7.53 ERA in four career appearances in the big leagues ... His best pitch is his change-up which he can throw for strikes ... He also throws a 87-90 mph four-seam fastball and he mixes in a sinker.

Hitters: Josh Willingham (3-for-11, 1 HR, 1 RBI) has had some success against Holland. Twins catcher Joe Mauer (3-for-14, 2 RBIs) hasn't fared as well. The Rangers have never faced Hernandez.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Two starters both coming off their first win of the season will square off as the Texas Rangers’ Justin Grimm opposes the Minnesota Twins’ Scott Diamond. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. CT on TXA21 and ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM, with the Spanish broadcast on 1540 AM.

Justin Grimm (1-0, 2.70 ERA): Grimm, 24, struck out a career-high nine batters his last time out and walked just one en route to earning his second career win in Texas’ 11-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. … The right-hander allowed two runs -- one earned -- while logging six innings for just the second time in his brief major league tenure. … Sunday’s win was Grimm’s first since his major league debut, when he pitched six innings of three-run ball in the Rangers’ 8-3 victory over the Houston Astros on June 16, 2012. … Friday will mark Grimm’s first appearance at Target Field and just his third appearance against an American League Central opponent. Grimm went 0-1 with a 20.25 ERA in two outings (one start) versus the AL Central in 2012.

Scott Diamond (1-1, 4.35 ERA): The 26-year-old left-hander will face Texas for the second time in his career. Diamond was ejected in the third inning of his previous outing versus the Rangers on Aug. 24, 2012, for throwing a pitch behind the head of Josh Hamilton. Texas starter Roy Oswalt hit Twins catcher Joe Mauer in the back in the preceding half-inning. … Diamond got off to a late start this spring after offseason surgery to remove bone spurs from his left elbow, and began the season on the disabled list. … He allowed two runs -- one earned -- in six innings against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, striking out five. Diamond has five or more strikeouts in a game just eight times in 36 career starts. … He was a pleasant surprise for Minnesota last season, finishing 12-9 with a 3.54 ERA.

Hitters: Eduardo Escobar (1-for-2) is the only Twins hitter with at-bats against Grimm. Current Rangers are a combined 5-for-17 with a walk against Diamond, including doubles from A.J. Pierzynski and Geovany Soto.

Up Next:

Saturday at Minnesota: LHP Derek Holland (1-1, 3.25) vs. Pedro Hernandez (0-0, 3.86), 3:10 p.m. CT, ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1270 AM/Fox Sports Southwest

Sunday at Minnesota: RHP Alexi Ogando (2-1, 3.12) vs. RHP Kevin Correia (2-1, 2.86), 1:10 p.m. CT, ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/Fox Sports Southwest

The Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins open a four-game series tonight at Target Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CT on ESPN 103.3 FM and in Spanish on 1540 AM ESPN Deportes. Here's a look at the pitching matchup, featuring Rangers RHP Nick Tepesch and Twins RHP Vance Worley.

Tepesch (1-1, 3.07 ERA): The rookie left last week's start in the second inning after being struck on his right wrist by a line drive. ... He tossed a normal, 45-pitch bullpen session before Monday night's game in Anaheim. ... Tepesch struck out three of the seven batters he faced before leaving the game on Saturday. ... Has recorded 29 ground balls to seven fly balls, good for a 4.14. GB/FB ratio, the highest among major-league starters with at least three starts in 2013.

Worley (0-2, 7.11 ERA): Has lost his two previous home starts this season, giving up nine runs in one inning to the New York Mets on April 12 and three runs in six innings to the Detroit Tigers on April 1. ... Pitched efficiently in his last outing, allowing only one run in seven innings against the Chicago White Sox. He also struck out a season-high seven batters.

Hitters: Tespesch has never pitched against the Twins. ... Lance Berkman (1-for-3), Geovany Soto (1-for-5) and Jeff Baker (0-for-1) are the only Texas players that have faced Worley.

Up next

Friday at Minnesota: RHP Justin Grimm (1-0, 2.70) vs. LHP Scott Diamond (1-1, 4.35), 7:10 p.m. CT, ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/TXA21

Saturday at Minnesota: LHP Derek Holland (1-1, 3.25) vs. Pedro Hernandez (0-0, 3.86), 3:10 p.m. CT, ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1270 AM/Fox Sports Southwest

Sunday at Minnesota: RHP Alexi Ogando (2-1, 3.12) vs. RHP Kevin Correia (2-1, 2.86), 1:10 p.m. CT, ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/Fox Sports Southwest

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels play the rubber match tonight at Angel Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. CT on ESPN 103.3 FM. Here's a look at the pitching matchup, featuring Rangers RHP Yu Darvish and Angels LHP Michael Roth.

Darvish (3-1, 2.03 ERA): Struck out 10 and gave up three hits in seven shutout against the Seattle Mariners in his last outing. ... His 38 strikeouts rank first in the American League. ... Darvish has not given up a home run this season. ... Has a 4-1 record and 4.36 ERA in seven career starts against the Angels.

Roth (1-0, 3.60 ERA): Scheduled to make his first career start. ... Gave up a base hit to the only batter he faced on Monday night, Lance Berkman. ... Earned a win in his major league debut on April 13, becoming the first Angels reliever to win his debut since 1983. ... Made one start this season with double-A Arkansas, throwing five shutout innings and striking out three. ... Was the Angels' ninth-round selection in the 2012 amateur draft out of South Carolina, which won the College World Series in 2010 and 2011.

Hitters: Mike Trout (6-for-19, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs and 5 BBs) has been successful against Darvish, while Josh Hamilton went 2-for-3 on April 7 when he faced the Japanese right-hander for the first time. ... Alberto Callaspo (7-for-16) is on the 15-day disabled list because of a right calf strain. ... Howie Kendrick (0-for-12, 5 Ks) and Mark Trumbo (3-for-18) have struggled against Darvish. ... Berkman singled against Roth on Monday. He was the only Texas player Roth faced.

Up next

-- Thursday at Minnesotta Twins: RHP Nick Tepesch (1-1, 3.07) vs. RHP Vance Worley (0-2, 7.11), 7:10 p.m. CT, ESPN-FM 103.3/1540 AM/Fox Sports Southwest

-- Friday at Minnesotta: RHP Justin Grimm (1-0, 2.70) vs. LHP Scott Diamond (1-1, 4.35), 7:10 p.m. CT, ESPN-FM 103.3/1540 AM/TXA21

-- Saturday at Minnesotta: LHP Derek Holland (1-1, 3.25) vs. Pedro Hernandez (0-0, 3.86), 3:10 p.m. CT, ESPN-FM 103.3/1270 AM/Fox Sports Southwest

The Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels meet up again Monday night to start a three-game series in Anaheim. Rangers left-hander Derek Holland faces right-hander Joe Blanton in the opener at 9:05 p.m. on FSSW and ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM.

Derek Holland (1-1, 1.64): Holland is one of the hottest starting pitchers going in the American League. He is third in the AL with a 1.64 ERA, trailing Boston's Clay Buchholz (0.90) and Tampa Bay's Matt Moore (1.00). ... Holland earned his first victory in his last start Tuesday night at Chicago, throwing seven shutout innings with the temperature in the 30s at Wrigley Field. It was the second time in 93 career starts that Holland went seven innings or more and allowed no more than two hits, the other coming against Boston in 2011. ... He has gone at least seven innings in each start, allowing two earned runs or less, joining Buchholz and the New York Mets' Matt Harvey as the only starters to do that. ... Holland is 7-5 with a 5.36 ERA in 17 games (14 starts) vs. the Angels. ... He has steadily improved against the Angels, going 2-0 with a 4.79 ERA in his last three starts against the Halos. ... He is 4-3 with 4.81 in his career in Anaheim.

Joe Blanton (0-3, 8.59): Blanton, making his fourth start, is off to a rocky beginning with his new team. ... He lost in his last outing, allowing four earned runs and nine hits in a loss at Minnesota on Monday. ... Blanton has given up 26 hits in 14 2/3 innings, including six home runs -- the second most in the American League. ... He hasn't lasted more than five innings in his three starts, giving up at least four earned runs in each outing. ... Opposing batters are hitting .377 against Blanton. ... Blanton is 6-4 with a 4.89 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) against the Rangers, most of them coming when he was with the A's from 2005-08. ... He spent the last six seasons in the National League with the Phillies and the Dodgers.

Hitters: Several Angels hitters have good numbers against Holland, including Alberto Callaspo (12-for-34, 5 2Bs, 1 HR, 5 RBIs), Mike Trout (6-for-17, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs) and Howard Kendrick (14-for-41, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs). Adrian Beltre (13-for-48, 4 2Bs, 7 RBIs) has been the Rangers' best hitter against Blanton.

The Rangers send a rookie to the mound for the second consecutive game Sunday afternoon when right-hander Justin Grimm faces Seattle right-hander Aaron Harang. Game time is 2:05 p.m. on FSSW and ESPN-FM 103.3 and 1540-AM.

Grimm (0-0, 4.50): Grimm can entrench himself in the Rangers' rotation with a strong outing as the Rangers face three months without injured left-hander Matt Harrison ... He makes his fourth career start and his second this season ... Grimm lasted four innings in his debut this season, pitching four innings and allowing two runs in the Rangers' 4-3 victory last Thursday ... Grimm threw 92 pitches, 50 of them for strikes ... He allowed five hits and three strikeouts and gave up a home run to Seattle center fielder Franklin Gutierrez ... Grimm was a fifth-round draft pick by the Rangers in 2010.

Harang (0-1, 5.40): Harang makes his second start for the Mariners since being acquired by Seattle in a trade with the Colorado Rockies on April 11 ... He suffered a loss in his Seattle debut, allowing three runs in five innings ... Harang had six strikeouts and no walks ... Harang spent the 2012 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, finishing with a 10-10 record and a 3.61 ERA for 31 starts ... He allowed a .202 batting average with runners in scoring position ... Harang is an even 105-105 in 300 games ... He is 1-0 with a 9.35 ERA in four career starts against the Rangers ... He last pitched against Texas on June 16, 2007 ... Harang has been hit hard at Rangers Ballpark with a 0-0 record and a 12.34 ERA for three career starts in Arlington ... He was originally drafted by the Rangers in the sixth round of the 1999 June entry draft.

Hitters: Michael Morse was 2 for 2 against Grimm in last Thursday's game. Lance Berkman (15-for-58, 7 HRs, 15 RBIs) has the most history against Harang, who has spent most of his career in the National League.

The Rangers try to take their second straight from Seattle on Saturday night when right-hander Nick Tepesch faces off against Mariners right-hander Brandon Maurer in a rematch of last weekend's pitching matchup, a game Texas lost 4-3. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. on Fox Sports Southwest and ESPN-FM 103.3 and 1540-AM.

Tepesch (1-1, 3.46): This is the third career start for the 24-year-old Tepesch … It's his first home start since Tepesch made his major league debut when he allowed a run in 7⅓ innings against the Tampa Rays on April 9 … He took the loss against the Mariners last Saturday, allowing four runs in 5⅔ innings … Tepesch took a 3-2 lead into the sixth inning but allowed consecutive RBI singles to Jesus Montero and Dustin Ackley … Tepesch relies on his sinker, a pitch that wasn't as sharp against Seattle … In his debut against Tampa Bay, Tepesch recorded 15 of 22 outs on ground balls … He became the 14th pitcher in Rangers history to win a start in his big league debut.

Maurer (1-2, 9.95): The hard-throwing 22 year old gets another start against the Rangers … It's Maurer's fourth start of his major league career … Maurer won his first big league game last Saturday against the Rangers, allowing two earned runs in six innings … He allowed five hits and had five strikeouts to go with one walk … Maurer didn't make it out of the first inning in his previous start against Houston, allowing six runs while recording two outs … He had never started above Double-A before this season … Maurer, a 23rd-round draft pick, throws his fastball at 94 mph.

Hitters: Mariners catcher Jesus Montero and third baseman Kyle Seager each were 2-for-3 against Tepesch last Saturday. Seager had two doubles. Mitch Moreland (1-for-2) and Lance Berkman (1-for-2) drove in the only runs last weekend against Maurer.

The Rangers begin a short three-game homestand against Seattle beginning Friday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Right-hander Yu Darvish faces Mariners left-hander Joe Saunders. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. on Ch. 21 and ESPN-FM 103.3 and 1540-AM.

Darvish (2-1, 2.75): Darvish allowed three first-inning runs then had four shutout innings as he lost to the Mariners 3-1 last week ... Darvish gets an extra days' rest for Friday's start ... He hasn't pitched past the sixth inning after coming within an out of a perfect game at Houston on April 2 ... Darvish has 28 strikeouts and five walks and has allowed just 10 hits in 19 2/3 innings this season ... No team has given him more trouble than the Mariners ... He is 2-3 with a 6.21 ERA for five career starts ... While his control has improved, he has 17 walks and four hit batters in 29 innings against Seattle .... He has averaged six innings per start against Seattle while pitching an average of seven innings against the rest of the league ... Darvish has been better against the Mariners at home with a 2-0 record and a 4.26 ERA.

Saunders (1-1, 1.08): Saunders has pitched well to begin the season, making his most recent start against the Rangers and getting a no decision after not allowing an earned run in seven innings ... The 31-year-old lefty picked up his win April 8 against Houston with six shutout innings ... Saunders is a former first-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Angels ... He pitched last season for Arizona and Baltimore ... He was a late-season acquisition for the Orioles and he beat the Rangers in the American League Wildcard game as Baltimore defeated Texas 5-1 ... Saunders had a 1.54 ERA for two postseason starts in 2012 ... He is 79-66 with a 4.62 ERA and 672 strikeouts in 192 starts for his career ... Saunders has turned things around against the Rangers, but he still has a 3-7 record and 5.79 ERA for 12 starts against Texas.

Hitters: Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (5-for-13, 3 2Bs, 7 RBIs) has more doubles and RBIs against Darvish than any other player in the Major Leagues. Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler (10-for-27, 4 HRs, 8 RBIs) and right fielder Nelson Cruz (7-for-23, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs) had home runs Thursday in a 6-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

CHICAGO -- Manager Ron Washington decided to skip Justin Grimm and stick with Alexi Ogando as his starter for Thursday's game against Carlos Villanueva and the Chicago Cubs. Yu Darvish is scheduled to pitch Friday, followed by Nick Tepesch, Grimm and then Derek Holland for the series opener against the Angels. Rain could impact Thursday's game, but the clubs will try to do everything to get it in. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. on FSSW and ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM.

Ogando (2-0, 1.08): Ogando has been solid in his return to the rotation, allowing only two earned runs in 16 2/3 innings pitched with 17 strikeouts and five walks. … Despite his impressive start, Ogando has only pitched six full innings in one of his three starts. … This will be Ogando’s first appearance against the Cubs. … Ogando has performed well in his 27 interleague innings, posting a 2.33 ERA with 23 strikeouts and 10 walks. … Ogando has three hits (all singles) and two strikeouts in five career plate appearances.

Villanueva (0-0, 0.64): Villanueva has been impressive in his two starts with the Cubs, allowing only one earned run in 14 innings. … The lone run recorded off Villanueva this season came via a solo home run from Braves center fielder B.J. Upton. … Villanueva was in line for the victory in both games he pitched this season, only to see a leaky Cubs bullpen blow the lead. … Villanueva had 4.16 ERA while striking out 122 and walking 46 in 125 1/3 innings (38 appearances, 16 starts) with the Blue Jays last season. … Villanueva struggled with a 4.50 ERA as a starter last season, but impressed with a 22.9 percent strikeout rate while walking only 6.7 percent of the batters he faced. … Villanueva has a 3.69 ERA in 85 1/3 interleague innings and is 1-1 with a 3.16 ERA in 25 2/3 innings against the Rangers.

Hitters: Nelson Cruz (3-for-10, 1 HR, 1 2B), Adrian Beltre (3-for-6, 1 2B) and Jeff Baker (3-for-5) have had success against Villanueva. Ogando has only faced two current Cubs, Nate Schierholtz (0-for-1) and David DeJesus (1-for-2).

Justin Grimm gets his second start of the season as the Texas Rangers take on Carlos Villanueva and the Chicago Cubs in the second game of a three-game set at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on FSSW and KSKY 660 AM.

Grimm (0-0, 4.50): Grimm lasted just four innings in his only start of the season. He threw 92 pitches, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two against Mariners. … This will be Grimm’s first appearance against the Cubs. … Grimm has made one interleague start in his young career, going six solid innings against the Astros, allowing three runs while striking out seven and walking none in his major league debut. … Grimm has yet to record a plate appearance in his career.

Villanueva (0-0, 0.64): Villanueva has been impressive in his two starts with the Cubs, allowing only one earned run in 14 innings pitched. … The lone run recorded off Villanueva this season came via a solo home run from Braves center fielder B.J. Upton. … Villanueva was in line for the victory in both games he pitched this season, only to see a leaky Cubs bullpen blow the lead. … Villanueva had 4.50 ERA while striking out 122 and walking 46 in 125 1/3 innings (38 appearances, 16 starts) with the Blue Jays last season. … Villanueva struggled with a 4.50 ERA as a starter last season, but impressed with a 22.9 percent strikeout rate while walking only 6.7 percent of the batters he faced. … Villanueva has a 3.69 ERA in 85 1/3 interleague innings and a 3.16 ERA in 25 2/3 innings against the Rangers.

Hitters: Nelson Cruz (3-for-10, 1 HR, 1 2B), Adrian Beltre (3-for-6, 1 2B) and Jeff Baker (3-for-5) have had success against Villanueva. Grimm has not faced a player currently on the Cubs roster.

The Rangers and Cubs open a three-game series with a pair of 26-year-old left-handers taking the mound as Derek Holland faces Travis Wood. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. on FSSW and ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM and 1540 AM.

PODCAST
David Murphy joins Galloway & Company to discuss his Boston ties and the tragedy at the marathon, playing at Wrigley Field and much more. Listen

Holland (0-1, 2.40): Holland has had quality starts in each of his first two outings. He allowed two earned runs in both starts, going seven innings against the Angels and eight innings against the Rays. ... Holland has gone at least seven innings and allowed two runs or less in six of his last eight starts. ... Holland, who gave up 32 home runs last season, has allowed only one this year. ... Opponents are hitting just .209 off Holland. ... The Rangers have scored only two runs in support of him. ... Holland will make his first start at Wrigley Field. He has started once against the Cubs, giving up two earned runs on home runs to Alfonso Soriano and Starlin Castro back in 2010. ... Holland is 1-5 with a 5.96 ERA in nine career interleague starts, with three straight losses. ... He is 0-for-7 as a hitter with three strikeouts.

Wood (1-0, 1.46 ERA): Wood is making his third start of the season. ... He allowed two earned runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings last Tuesday against Milwaukee, leaving the game trailing 3-0. He had six strikeouts and three walks. ... Wood relies mostly on a fastball and cutter. ... He averages one home run allowed per nine innings for his career and gave up 25 long balls last season. ... Wood was 6-13 with a 4.13 ERA last season and hasn't recorded a victory since July 17, 2012. ... This is Wood's first career start against the Rangers.

Hitters: Lance Berkman (7-for-11, 2 HRs, 2 RBIs) and Jeff Baker (3-for-8, 1 HR, 1 RBI) have had success against Wood. Brent Lillibridge (3-for-10, 1 HR, 2 RBIs) and Dioner Navarro (2-for-4, 1 HR, 3 RBIs) have done well against Holland.

The Rangers try to win three out of four at Seattle when they send rookie right-hander Nick Tepesch to the mound Sunday afternoon in the Pacific Northwest against Mariners right-hander Brandon Maurer. First pitch is 3:10 p.m. on FSSW and 660-AM.

Tepesch (1-0, 1.23): Tepesch was brilliant in his first Major League start, allowing a run in 7 1/3 innings ... He became the 14th pitcher in Rangers history to win as a start in his Major League debut ... Tepesch had his sinker jumping against the Rays, getting 15 ground ball outs, two of them coming on a double play ... He allowed four hits and had five strikeouts ... The 14th-round draft pick in the 2010 draft showed the mound presence and poise that scouts have raved about as he is has risen in Rangers' farm system.

Maurer (0-2, 16.20): Maurer's Major League career is off to a tough start ... He didn't make it out of the first inning in his second big league start last Tuesday against Houston, getting just two outs and giving up six runs on seven hits ... Maurer dominated in Double-A last season with a 3.20 ERA, 117 strikeouts and 48 walks ... He's an aggressive pitcher who can run his fastball up to the plate at 94 mph ... He also throws a slider and a curve ball ... Maurer has a reputation for trying to be too fine but he only has one walk in 6 2/3 innings to start the season ... He's given up 15 hits, including two home runs.

Hitters: It's the first start against their opponent for both pitchers.