The Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians play the first of three games at Progressive Field at 6:05 on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM and TXA21. The matchup features RHP Ryan Dempster vs. Ubaldo Jimenez. A quick look:

Dempster (3-1, 5.46 ERA): He'll be making his sixth start as a Ranger and is coming off some improved performances. ... He has allowed just three runs in his last 14 innings, an ERA of 1.93 in his last two starts. ... His last start was his second-straight win. He gave up two runs on eigh thits in six innings with seven strikeouts and two walks against Minnesota. ... Left-handed batters have a .216 average against him, the fifth-lowest mark among right-handed starters in the big leagues. ... Dempster is 1-0 with a 4.05 ERA in three games (two starts) in his career against the Indians, but hasn't faced them since 2006. ... He is 5-2 with a 3.96 ERA in eight starts vs. AL clubs this season.

Jimenez (9-13, 5.58 ERA): He's lost his last two decisions and has just one quality start in his last six outings. ... He is 1-3 with a 7.93 ERA in August. ... Jimenez is much better at home than on the road, sporting a 5-4 mark and a 3.54 ERA at Progressive Field and a 7.34 ERA on the road. ... He pitched seven shutout innings against the Rangers in May with five walks and six strikeouts (and two hits allowed) and got the win. ... Jimenez leads the AL in losses with 13.

Hitters: Only three Cleveland hitters have ever faced Dempster: Travis Hafner (0-for-1), Casey Kotchman (0-for-3) and Grady Sizemore (1-for-1 with a double). ... The Rangers are hitting just .200 against Jimenez. ... Nelson Cruz is 0-for-6 with five strikeouts. ... The only player with more than one hit off Jimenez is Mike Napoli, who's on the DL.

Up next:

Sat at Cle: RHP Scott Feldman (6-10, 4.95) vs. RHP Roberto Hernandez (0-3, 7.53), 6:05 p.m., ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/FSSW
Sun at Cle: LHP Derek Holland (9-6, 4.90) vs. RHP Zach McAllister (5-5, 3.82), 12:05 p.m., ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/FSSW