The Texas Rangers return home for the start of a 10-game homestand against Baltimore, Minnesota and Tampa Bay. It begins with the Orioles at 7:05 p.m. on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM and FSSW. The pitching matchup features right-handers Ryan Dempster for the Rangers and Miguel Gonzalez for the Orioles. Here's a look:

Dempster (6-6, 3.12 ERA in AL & NL): The veteran starts tonight after missing his Saturday start in Toronto because of personal reasons. That means Scott Feldman and those behind him will get an extra day before their next outings. ... Dempster will be pitching on six days of rest, as well. ... He got his first loss in a Ranger uniform last week, giving up eight runs on nine hits in six innings with two walks and four strikeouts against the Yankees. He also allowed two homers, including a grand slam to Nick Swisher. ... He joins Roy Oswalt as the first Rangers teammates to each have two games with eight or more earned runs allowed in the same season since Mark Clark (3 games) and John Burkett (2) in 1999. ... Dempster is 1-3 with a 7.06 ERA in his last five starts overall (including two with the Chicago Cubs). ... He has one career start against the Orioles, getting a no-decision in a 2-1 win by the Marlins on June 8, 1999.

Gonzalez (5-2, 3.38 ERA): The 28-year-old joined the rotation July 6 and has recorded a decision in seven of his eight starts. ... Gonzalez is 5-2 with a 3.62 ERA in eight starts in 2012 (49 2/3 innings) with 35 strikeouts and 17 walks. ... Gonzalez has allowed 10 homers. ... Opponents are hitting .238 against him. ... In August, Gonzalez is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in three starts, all of them quality starts and all of them wins. ... His last start came at home against Boston on Aug. 15, when he allowed two runs on six hits in six innings.

Hitters: Gonzalez has never faced the Rangers. ... Dempster has held J.J. Hardy to a .074 average (2-for-27) and Bill Hall (4-for-19) hasn't hit well off him either. ... Nate McLouth has hit Dempster well, batting .313 (5-for-16). Omar Quintanilla is 3-for-6.

Up next:

Tue. vs. Balt: RHP Scott Feldman (6-8, 4.63) vs. RHP Chris Tillman (5-2, 3.65), 7:05 p.m., ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/FSSW
Wed. vs. Balt: LHP Derek Holland (7-6, 4.98) vs. RHP Tommy Hunter (4-7, 5.49), 7:05 p.m., ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/FSSW