NewsMillwood primed to be on mound in finale
Texas (41-35) vs. Los Angeles (42-33), 7:05 p.m. CT
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
07/01/09 12:32 AM ET
ARLINGTON -- The Rangers close out their three-game series with the Angels on Wednesday night. They face Jered Weaver, who is sixth in the American League in ERA and has the lowest career ERA (2.64) against the Rangers of any active pitcher with at least 10 starts against them. This will be the Rangers' last game at home against the Angels until Sept. 18. This would be a good one to win and a good one to have their No. 1 starter on the mound. They do. Kevin Millwood will be facing Weaver in a battle between two of the top pitchers in the American League. Millwood comes into the game with the fifth-best ERA in the American League. "I feel like it's a big game," Millwood said. "It's somebody in our division, especially the Angels being in first place. I don't look at it as a do-or-die situation, but it's definitely a game we can use." If it is do-or-die, the Rangers would want Millwood on the mound. He has been their ace all season and he's the guy they count on when they badly need a win. "That's fine," Millwood said. "I hope it gives them some confidence that when I go out there, they can relax and play their game. I don't mind it at all. It makes you feel good when guys look at you to stop bad streaks or prolong good ones." Pitching matchupTEX: RHP Kevin Millwood (8-5, 2.64 ERA)
Millwood beat San Diego on Friday despite having what he called "his worst stuff of the season." He struggled with his fastball command, even though it got better in his final inning, the sixth, as he struck out the side looking. Still, Millwood had a sensational June. He was 4-1 with a 1.30 ERA (5 ER/34 2/3 IP). It was his team-high 12th quality start; he had 11 all last season. In his only start against the Angels this season, he allowed two earned runs on nine hits in six innings as the Rangers held on for a 10-8 victory on May 15. LAA: RHP Jered Weaver (8-3, 2.65 ERA)
Weaver is 5-1 with a 2.72 ERA in his past seven starts. Opponents are hitting .216 off him, the third lowest in the American League. He is 3-2 with a 3.77 ERA in seven starts on the road as opposed to a 1.83 ERA in his home ballpark. Opponents are hitting .143 off him with runners in scoring position, the lowest in the American League. He lost to the Rangers, 3-0, on May 17. He pitched six scoreless innings before allowing one run in the seventh and two in the eighth. He ended up with a complete game, one of three he has pitched this season. He is now 2-2 with a 2.64 ERA in 10 career starts against the Rangers. Tidbits
The Rangers have moved Tommy Hunter up in the rotation. He'll start on Friday against the Rays. Derek Holland has been pushed back to Sunday. ... Rangers broadcaster Eric Nadel is expected back at work on Wednesday after missing two games for more surgery on the retina in his right eye. ... Rangers outfielder Marlon Byrd is serving as the honorary chairman for this year's Baseball Equipment Drive. Between Saturday, July 6, and Friday, July 17, fans may drop off new and gently used baseball equipment at any of the 13 Metroplex Academy Sports and Outdoors locations as well as The Majestic Grand Slam Gift Shop at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Individuals who bring baseball equipment to any of the Academy Sports and Outdoors locations can register to win a Byrd autographed baseball. Tickets
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• 105.3 The Fan, KFLC 1270 (Español) Up next
• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Rangers (Tommy Hunter, 0-1, 3.86) vs. Rays (Scott Kazmir, 4-4, 7.28), 7:05 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Rangers (Vicente Padilla, 6-4, 4.75) vs. Rays (David Price, 2-2, 3.93), 7:05 p.m. CT
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
