MLBaseballFanatic

Monday July 16, 2007 - Wednesday July 18, 2007

Monday July 16, 2007
9: 05 CT, McAfee Coliseum

Texas Rangers - Brandon McCarthy, RHP (4-6, 5.70)

After going six innings and allowing two runs (both earned) on five hits, Wright got the win with his first quality start of the season against the Angels on July 4. He will be making his fifth start since coming off the disabled list (shoulder inflammation) on June 16. Lifetime against the Athletics, Wright has a 10.50 ERA in two starts, both no-decisions. In his career after the All-Star break, Wright is 34-53 with a 5.02 ERA (153 games, 132 starts).

Oakland A's - Dallas Braden, LHP (1-3, 6.08)

Braden, a rookie, will be recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to make this start. This will be Braden's fourth stint of the season with the A's. His best appearance was his first, on April 24 at Baltimore, when he held the Orioles to one run on three hits in six innings for a 4-2 victory. He has never faced the Rangers.

Tuesday July 17, 2007
9: 05 CT, McAfee Coliseum

Texas Rangers - Robinson Tejeda, RHP (5-8, 6.70)

Tejeda will be recalled to start this one, after being optioned the Saturday before the break. The Rangers brought up reliever Wes Littleton, but did not send Tejeda down to the Minor Leagues even though he has struggled lately. In his last start, July 5 against the Angels, Tejeda allowed four runs in 5 1/3 innings. Lifetime against the A's, Tejeda is 2-1 with a 3.32 ERA in four games, all starts.

Oakland A's - Chad Gaudin, RHP (8-4, 3.18)

Gaudin hopes to bounce back after struggling in Minnesota, where he tied a trio of season worsts, allowing five earned runs in four innings of work to see his ERA increase from 2.88 to 3.19. With his pitches running out of the strike zone, Gaudin also walked five batters. Of his 97 pitches, 52 were for strikes. Gaudin had a strong first half for Oakland, winning eight of his past 10 decisions, including strong outings in his last two starts before the All-Star break. He pitched seven shutout innings against New York on June 30 and allowed two runs in 7 2/3 innings on July 5 against Seattle.

Wednesday July 18, 2007
2:35 CT , McAfee Coliseum

Texas Rangers - Kevin Millwood, RHP (6-7, 5.77)

Millwood is 4-1 with a 3.23 ERA in his last six starts. Opponents are hitting .236 off him in that stretch, including .158 with runners in scoring position. He is now 2-4 with a 5.58 ERA in nine starts on the road this season. This is his first start against the Athletics this season but is 3-1 with a 3.79 ERA in six starts against them in his career. He is 1-1 with a 4.85 ERA at MacAfee Coliseum.

Oakland A's - Lenny DiNardo, LHP (3-6, 2.78)

DiNardo, who has started in eight of his past nine appearances, will look to be more consistent against the Rangers. He was decent in Friday's start at Minnesota, allowing eight hits and two earned runs over five innings. DiNardo did a good job of getting ahead of Minnesota hitters, but admitted he could have thrown a few better 0-2 pitches, as evidenced by his zero strikeouts. He has yet to throw more than six innings in a start. In his first start of the season, against Texas on May 29, DiNardo allowed four hits and four runs (one earned) in 5 1/3 innings.

(Credit for all the little recaps on the pitchers goes to MLB.com)