If the Texas Rangers’ starting pitchers can maintain their hot start, the American League West race could be over by the All-Star break. The Rangers starters are 9-0 with a 2.37 ERA after Yu Darvish pitched into the seventh inning Thursday, helping Texas cruise to a 10-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers in the series opener. Texas has won seven straight and own the majors’ best record at 11-2.

The Detroit Tigers were out-hit 19-5 in the opener, and they’ll likely need to double their output to keep pace with Texas, which is batting .403 (50-for-124) with eight home runs over its past three games. Detroit also needs to figure out a way to slow down Mike Napoli, who is 9-for-18 with five homers and 10 RBIs in his last four games.

Rangers Tigers Betting

When: 7:05 PM ET, Saturday, April 21, 2012
Where: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, TXA21 (Texas), FS Detroit Plus

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Neftali Feliz (1-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (1-1, 2.13 ERA)

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Feliz’s transition to the starting rotation is off to a promising start after giving up a total of three runs in his first two starts. Feliz pitched seven shutout innings against Seattle in his season debut before allowing three runs on five hits in five innings last Sunday against the Twins.

Verlander has picked up where he left off last season, going at least eight innings in each of his three starts. He’s coming off a complete game win against the Royals on Monday, when he allowed two runs with nine strikeouts. Michael Young is 6-for-26 (.231) against Verlander.

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1. Ivan Rodriguez, who is retiring after a 21-year career, will be honored prior to Monday’s game against the New York Yankees in Arlington.

2. Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera is six RBIs away from becoming the 21st active player with 1,000 or more.

3. The Tigers have won 18 of their last 25 games against the Rangers at Comerica Park.

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One game after exploding for 11 runs against Washington, the Houston Astros managed only six hits in the series opener against Los Angeles. Carlos Lee, Chris Johnson and Jed Lowrie are a combined 1-for-28 against left-handed pitchers this season, which doesn’t bode well for the Astros’ matchup against Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw. In an effort to jump-start the Astros’ offense, second baseman Jose Altuve has been moved up to the second spot in the batting order. Altuve is hitting .347 with four doubles and two stolen bases.

Dodgers Astros Betting

When: 7:05 PM ET, Saturday, April 21, 2012
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, KCAL (Los Angeles), FS Houston

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 2.35 ERA) vs. Astros RH Kyle Weiland (0-2, 8.44 ERA)

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Kershaw is looking for his first win despite pitching fairly well in each of his first three outings. Last year’s Cy Young award winner gave up four runs – three earned – over 5 1/3 innings last Sunday against San Diego. Kershaw is 2-1 with a 3.19 ERA in five career starts against Houston, and he went 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two starts last season.

Weiland has allowed 18 hits and 10 earned runs in 10 2/3 innings in two starts, and his 2.25 WHIP isn’t helping matters. Acquired from Boston last December in the Mark Melancon trade, Weiland is making his first appearance against the Dodgers. He gave up six runs over 5 2/3 innings in his last start against Washington.

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1. Nine of the Astros’ 14 games have been decided by two runs or less.

2. Dodgers infielder Juan Uribe has been out since Tuesday with a sore wrist, but could be available for Saturday’s game.

3. Los Angeles shortstop Dee Gordon was rested Friday after hitting .192 with a .263 on-base percentage to start the season.

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Willingham stole the thunder from Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria, who had given the Rays the lead with his second home run in as many games and has driven in seven runs during a four-game hitting streak. Matt Joyce also homered for Tampa Bay, his fourth of the season and third in the last four games. The respective aces will square off Saturday when Rays right-hander James Shields opposes Twins righty Carl Pavano.

Twins Rays Betting

When: 7:10 PM ET, Saturday, April 21, 2012
Where: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Carl Pavano (1-1, 5.23 ERA) vs. Rays RH James Shields (2-0, 3.38 ERA)

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Pavano looked like he was headed for an early exit last time out at Yankee Stadium when he was tagged for three runs on four hits, including two homers, in the first inning. But he bounced back to throw six scoreless innings and earn his first win. Pavano has had success shutting down Tampa Bay’s big boppers. Longoria is 2-for-13 and Carlos Pena 1-for-11 against him.

Shields was shaky in his season debut against the Yankees, but is coming off two strong performances, including 8 1/3 innings of shutout ball against the Boston Red Sox last time out. Shields tossed a major league-leading 11 complete games last year, but was pulled against the Red Sox when his pitch count reached 115. He has struggled against Twins left-handers Joe Mauer (.381) and Justin Moreau (.348).

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1. Rays center fielder B.J. Upton came off the disabled list and went 0-for-3 in his season debut Friday night. He is 7-for-16 lifetime against Pavano.

2. Mauer had a pair of RBI singles to boost his average to .443 (31-for-70) with 19 RBIs in 18 games at Tropicana Field.

3. Minnesota’s Kirby Puckett hit safely in the first 15 games of the season in 1994.

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The Pirates could not muster much offense in the first game of the series with four hits and are batting .201 overall as a team. Andrew McCutchen, even though he went 0-for-4 on Friday, has been one bright spot. The talented center fielder was 12-for-26 in his previous seven games. Pittsburgh had only seven errors its first 12 games, but made four Friday.

Cardinals Pirates Betting

When: 7:05 PM ET, Saturday, April 21, 2012
Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Jake Westbrook (2-0, 0.64 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Kevin Correia (1-0, 1.50 ERA)

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Westbrook has followed a strong spring with two solid starts to begin the regular season. He allowed only three runs – one earned – over 14 innings with four strikeouts and five walks. Westbrook has not been sharp against the Pirates in his career, going 0-3 with a 5.46 ERA over 29 2/3 innings.

Coming off a career-best tying 12 wins in 2011, Correia has made two effective outings to begin 2012. He has allowed two earned runs and seven hits over 12 innings. Correia is one victory from 50 for his career. He is 2-3 with a 3.86 ERA lifetime against the Cardinals over 46 2/3 innings.

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1. The Cardinals have beaten the Pirates seven of the last nine games, dating back to last season.

2. Pittsburgh outfielder Jose Tabata broke out of a 1-for-26 slump with a pair of hits Friday.

3. St. Louis outfielder Jon Jay could avoid a stint on the disabled list with his sore right shoulder reportedly improving.

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Toronto catcher J.P. Arencibia has snapped out of his early season funk, going 4-for-7 with three RBIs in the last two games. Royals leadoff hitter Eric Gordon takes a four-game hitting streak into Saturday, but he’s hitting only .160.

Blue Jays Royals Betting

When: 7:10 PM ET, Saturday, April 21, 2012
Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, RSN1 (Toronto), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Drew Hutchison (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Royals RH Luis Mendoza (0-2, 5.59 ERA)

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Hutchinson gets the call from Double-A New Hampshire. He went 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA there this season and owns an 18-9 record with a 2.49 ERA in two-plus pro seasons in the minors. The 21-year-old recorded 246 strikeouts in 234 2/3 innings but has only made six starts above Class A.

Mendoza gave up nine runs – five earned – in four innings in a 13-7 loss to Cleveland in his most recent outing. The right-hander has made two starts against Toronto in his career, going 1-1 with a 4.86 ERA.

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1. Toronto recorded its fourth triple play in franchise history Friday. It was the Blue Jays’ first triple play since Sept. 21, 1979 versus the Yankees.

2. Home run king Jose Bautista has only two homers but has recorded four RBIs in his last four games.

3. Kansas City’s eight-game slide is the franchise’s longest losing streak since dropping 10 in a row in July 2010.

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The Rockies, who have won three straight, will send out rookie left-hander Drew Pomeranz. Colorado expects a lot out of Pomeranz, who is a work in progress. He was the centerpiece for the Rockies in the trade that sent Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland last season.

Rockies Brewers Betting

When: 7:10 PM ET, Saturday, April 21, 2012
Where: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Colorado), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Drew Pomeranz (0-1, 10.38 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Marco Estrada (0-0, 3.00 ERA)

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No one on the Brewers’ roster has faced Pomeranz, who will make his sixth career start. Pomeranz struggled in his 2012 debut, allowing five runs and nine hits in a 5-2 loss to Arizona on Sunday. Pomeranz struggled with his breaking ball, which led to deep counts and 100 pitches in 4 1/3 innings. Arizona also stole four bases off him.

Estrada has pitched six innings in five games with seven strikeouts and was credited with one hold. The Colorado roster is 2-for-15 against Estrada with Ramon Hernandez, who had two hits Friday, responsible for one. Estrada has made nine career starts.

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1. Colorado’s Michael Cuddyer delivered a pinch hit RBI single in the top of the ninth to give the Rockies a 4-3 victory Friday. Cuddyer didn’t start because of a bruised big left toe.

2. Milwaukee’s Norichika Aoki hit his first major league homer Friday, an inside-the-park job. Aoki had two hits and made his first start in center field. He replaced Nyjer Morgan, who is hitting .139.

3. Milwaukee reliever Kameron Loe will miss the next three games to attend his grandfather’s funeral.

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Jack Hannahan has hit either in the No. 8 or 9 spot in the batting order all season, but he’s been the key to the Indians’ recent surge. He delivered a game-winning two-run single against Seattle on Thursday, and is hitting .324 with one homer and 11 RBIs after batting .250 last season. The Athletics are struggling to score runs, but Yoenis Cespedes did his part Friday with three hits and two RBIs. He is batting .265 with four homers in 49 at-bats.

Indians Athletics Betting

When: 9:05 PM ET, Saturday, April 21, 2012
Where: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California
TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), CS California Plus (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Jeanmar Gomez (0-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Brandon McCarthy (0-2, 3.60 ERA)

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Gomez exited his last start in the third inning when he was ejected for hitting the Royals’ Mike Moustakas last Saturday. He has retired 12 of the 13 batters he has faced this season, and is 1-0 with a 0.79 ERA in two career starts against Oakland.

McCarthy is still searching for his first win despite going six or more innings in three of his four starts. He has 14 strikeouts and four walks for a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.50, and last year he set an Athletics record with 123 strikeouts and 25 walks. McCarthy is 6-3 with a 4.61 ERA in 16 games (eight starts) against the Indians. Casey Kotchman is 7-for-15 (.467) against McCarthy.

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1. Oakland is 6-0 when scoring first.

2. Outfielder Johnny Damon, signed to a minor league contract by Cleveland on Tuesday, is expected to join the Indians within the next couple weeks.

3. Rollie Fingers is scheduled to throw out the first pitch as the Athletics honor the 1972 World Series championship team.

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Freddie Freeman is swinging a white-hot bat for the Braves. He is 6-for-9 with two homers and seven RBIs in the first two games of the series. Arizona is desperately missing its star players with Justin Upton (thumb), Chris Young (shoulder) and Stephen Drew (ankle) out of action. Upton is questionable for Saturday.

Braves Diamondbacks Betting

When: 8:10 PM ET, Saturday, April 21, 2012
Where: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, SportSouth (Braves)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Tommy Hanson (1-2, 3.71 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Joe Saunders (1-0, 0.64 ERA)

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Hanson was dealt his second loss of the season in his most recent outing, giving up five runs – four earned – on five hits over seven innings. Hanson, however, looked much sharper with his command and had some pep on his fastball. Hanson is 1-1 with a career 4.42 ERA versus the Diamondbacks.

Saunders has been nearly untouchable in his first two starts. The southpaw has gone seven innings in each outing, allowing only one run on 10 hits with nine strikeouts in the two games. He is 1-0 with a 0.68 ERA in 13 1/3 career innings versus the Braves.

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1. Atlanta has hit 14 home runs in the last 10 games.

2. Braves right fielder Jason Heyward takes a career-high 10-game hitting streak into Saturday.

3. The Diamondbacks haven’t lost four straight games at home since Sept. 7, 2010.

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Orioles Angels Betting

When: 9:05 PM ET, Saturday, April 21, 2012
Where: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
TV: 9:05 p.m. ET MASN (Baltimore), FSW (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Jake Arrieta (1-0, 2.66) vs. Angels RH Jered Weaver (2-0, 2.18).

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Arrieta has recorded a quality start in two of his first three outings, the highlight being seven shutout innings in his first appearance. The homegrown prospect, a fifth-round pick from 2007, has shown excellent control, striking out 16 and walking only four in 20 1/3 innings. Arrieta has made only one career start against the Angels, receiving no decision when allowing two runs in 7 2/3 innings.

Weaver has been outstanding in two of his three starts, during which he’s had 14 2/3 scoreless innings. The blip came in the second game, when he gave up five runs in six innings. His control has been impeccable, with 23 strikeouts and only two walks in 20 2/3 innings. He’s only had mediocre luck against the Orioles, going 3-3 with a 3.52 ERA in six starts.

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1. The Angels became the last team in the majors to pick up a save on Friday when Jordan Walden worked a scoreless ninth.

2. Baltimore has been outscored 30-13 in the last four games played at the Big A.

3. Baltimore hitting coach Jim Presley left the team to return home and see a urologist because of a kidney stone issue.

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Halladay is coming off his worst performance of the year when he allowed two runs, seven hits and walked an unusually high three in eight innings in a 5-2 victory at San Francisco on Monday and is well on his way to another Cy Young-type season. San Diego counters with Cory Luebke, who should be loaded with confidence after pitching well at hitter-friendly Coors Field in his last start.

Phillies Padres Betting

When: 8:35 PM ET, Saturday, April 21, 2012
Where: Petco Park, San Diego, California
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, PHL 17 (Philadelphia), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Roy Halladay (3-0, 1.17 ERA 0.00) vs. Padres LH Cory Luebke (1-1, 3.71 ERA)

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Halladay is 3-0 with a 1.10 WHIP and 1.90 ERA in three lifetime starts against the Padres. The San Diego roster is hitting .263 against him with Jason Bartlett (11-for-37, .297) having the most hits and the largest sample. Halladay has pitched 23 innings in his first three starts with a 0.78 WHIP, well below his 1.17 career number.

Perhaps the most impressive statistic for Luebke against Colorado on Monday was the 12 groundouts he recorded. Luebke also allowed one run and six hits in seven innings and threw 21 changeups in the Padres’ 7-1 victory. San Diego won his previous start, 2-1 over Arizona on April 11, but Luebke got a no-decision.

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1. San Diego left fielder Carlos Quentin, who had arthroscopic knee surgery on March 19, has resumed live batting practice and could be back in early May.

2. The Phillies are 24-4 at Petco Park since it opened in 2004 and haven’t lost there since Aug. 16, 2008.

3. Juan Pierre has eight hits in his last 22 at-bats, including a two-run single to help Philadelphia to a 4-1 victory Friday.

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