The Tigers will attempt gain more ground on the struggling Indians tonight, but in order to do so they must find a way to cool off the red hot Rangers. First pitch in this evening's series opener between Detroit and Texas is scheduled for 8:05p.m. ET at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The latest Sports Betting Odds are forecasting a Texas' victory as the Rangers are listed as a -150 moneyline favorite in tonight's game. The game total is set at 9.5 with the Under drawing -115 odds.
Texas did Detroit a huge favor over the 
weekend by sweeping the AL Central leading Indians. Now the Tigers are hoping to avoid the same fate as they look to build on their recent 6-1 run.
Jim Leyland's squad, now 31-27 overall, trails Cleveland by just 2.5 games after back to back winning series against Central rivals Minnesota and Chicago. The White Sox served as the Tigers latest victim, dropping yesterday's series finale at U.S. Cellular Field by a score of 7-3.
Detroit's Brad Penny got knocked around for eight hits and three earned runs in five innings, but his lackluster outing proved inconsequential as the Tigers blasted Sox starter Jake Peavy. Detroit's Ryan Raburn ended Peavy's day after belting a fourth inning grand slam off the former Cy Young winner.
Texas, which has won nine of its last 11 games, extended its current win streak to five games yesterday with a 2-0 victory over Cleveland. Starter C.J. Wilson was masterful in the win, allowing just three hits and zero earned runs in 7 2/3 innings. The Rangers' offense sputtered most of the day, but solo homers from Mitch Moreland and Elvis Andrus were all Texas needed to dispatch the faltering Indians.
Leyland will look to keep the Rangers' bat cooled off tonight as he sends starter Max Scherzer to the hill. Cooling bats has been a problem for Scherzer of late as the Missouri product has given up 23 hits and 17 earned runs in his last three outings (14.1 innings). Keeping Texas in check has not been an issue for Scherzer, though. The 26 year old is 2-0 with a 2.42 ERA in four appearances against the Rangers.
Texas will counter Scherzer with veteran right hander Colby Lewis. Lewis, who is 5-5 with a 3.48 ERA this season, pitched a gem his last time out, limiting the Rays to four hits and zero earned runs over eight innings. The California native also struck out eight in the 3-0 Rangers' win.
The Tigers took two out of three from Texas in the Motor City in mid-April, but the Rangers won six of the nine meetings between these two squads last year.
Tigers vs Rangers MLB Odds June 6, 2011:
Detroit Tigers +1.5 (-155), Over 9.5 (-105), +130 (Moneyline)
Texas Rangers -1.5 (+135), Under 9.5 (-115), -150 (Moneyline)
