MINNEAPOLIS -- The Rangers open a three-game series with the Twins tonight with LHP Derek Holland taking on RHP Nick Blackburn. Here's a quick look at the matchup:

Holland (2-2, 4.76 ERA): This is the 8th appearance (sixth start) of the season for the 23-year-old in his third stint with the Rangers in 2010. His last outing was out of the bullpen on Saturday against the A's. Holland allowed one run on three hits in 4 2/3 innings with three walks and two strikeouts. His last started was Aug. 18 at Tampa Bay and he allowed five earned runs on six hits with four walks and eight strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. Holland is 1-1 with a 6.10 ERA in three career starts against Minnesota (his last one was a 6-3 loss at Target Field on May 30 in which he gave up three runs on three hits with three walks in one inning and left the game in the second inning with inflammation in his left shoulder.

Matt Fox (0-0, 0.00 ERA): The Twins tied a season-high by using eight pitchers in a 13-inning loss to the Tigers on Thursday. One of those was Nick Blackburn, scheduled to start tonight against Derek Holland. So instead, the Twins have called up Fox from Triple-A Rochester to make his major-league debut. The 27-year-old is 6-9 with a 3.95 ERA in the minors this season as a reliever and starter. He's 2-2 with a 3.07 ERA in his last 10 outings (7 starts). He started on Aug. 30 and gave up two run (one earned) on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts in six innings against Pawtucket. Read more about Fox and the other Twins' moves at La Velle Neal's blog at the Star-Tribune.

Hitters: Three Twins hitters have at least five at-bats against Holland: Denard Span (2-for-5), Michael Cuddyer (1-for-5) and Joe Mauer (2-for-7). The Rangers have never fcaed