The Detroit Tigers opened up their second-straight month with a sweep of the American League East leaders with a 6-2 victory over the New York Yankees in the Bronx on Wednesday afternoon. Troy Melton gave his team 6 1\/3 innings of two-hit ball, and while the bullpen blew yet another save, a four-run 11th powered the good guys to the win.<\/p>\n
AJ Hinch\u2019s team remains on the road this weekend with a trip to the Lone Star State to take on the Texas Rangers starting \u2014 who are tied for first in the AL West \u2014 on Thursday night, when left-hander Framber Valdez will take the mound in the series opener. The 32-year-old put up a 3.21 ERA and 4.14 FIP in June over five starts, three of which he allowed just one run and the other two saw him cough up a four-spot in each.<\/p>\n
For the Rangers, right-hander Nathan Eovaldi will toe the rubber looking to build on his gem last time out, in which he threw seven shutout innings allowing five hits and a walk while striking out nine. That was a vast improvement for the 36-year-old after posting a 5.11 ERA and 4.04 FIP in his other four June starts, surrendering four home runs while striking out 25 in that 24 1\/3-inning stretch.<\/p>\n
Here is what the matchup looks like on paper in Thursday night\u2019s opener at Globe Life Field.<\/p>\n
Detroit Tigers (38-49) vs. Texas Rangers (44-43)<\/p>\n