ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers welcome the Minnesota Twins to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington for four games, starting tonight at 7:05 p.m. on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM and FSSW. The mound matchup features Roy Oswalt vs. Scott Diamond.

Oswalt (4-2, 6.04 ERA): The veteran is filling in for Yu Darvish, whose start was skipped because of a tight right quad muscle. ... Oswalt is starting on regular rest after pitching for Ryan Dempster on Saturday in Toronto. ... Oswalt gave up one run on two hits in 4 2/3 innings with five strikeouts and two walks. He threw 62 pitches and we'll see how many he's able to throw tonight. ... The appearance in Toronto is his only one since Aug. 8 and was his first start since July 30. ... Oswalt is 3-2 with 5.95 ERA in seven starts and 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in three relief appearances. ... He's 1-1 with a 4.23 ERA in four career starts against the Twins.

Diamond (10-5, 2.95 ERA): He's been in the rotation since early May and has been consistent. ... In August, Diamond is 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA. He had a 3.54 ERA in July. ... Diamond has five straight quality starts, including a 3-2 loss to Seattle on Aug. 18. He allowed two runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings with two strikeouts and no walks. ... His ERA on the road (3.39) is worse than at home (2.58).

Hitters: Five Minnesota batters have 10 or more at-bats off Oswalt -- Jamey Carroll (2-for-10), Ryan Doumit (7-for-21), Joe Mauer (4-for-10), Justin Morneau (3-for-10) and Josh Willingham (6-for-21). ... Diamond hasn't faced the Rangers.

Up next:

Fri vs. Minn: LHP Matt Harrison (14-7, 3.19) vs. RHP Samuel Deduno (4-1, 3.33), 7:05 p.m., ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/TXA21
Sat vs. Minn: RHP Ryan Dempster (7-6, 2.99 NL&AL) vs. LHP Brian Duensing (3-8, 4.46), 3:05 p.m., ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/FOX
Sun vs. Minn: RHP Scott Feldman vs. RHP Cole De Vries, 2:05 p.m., ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/FSSW