D’Backs Vs. Rangers Series Preview

Aug. 22, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Tyler Skaggs against the Miami Marlins at Chase Field. Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Rangers (32-18) just took two of the three games from the Seattle Mariners over the weekend. Texas has been led by their pitching and a potent offensive line up this season.

Arizona (28-22) just wrapped a series against a pesky San Diego Padres team that saw them win two out of three games against them. They received quality performances from their starters and the offense came through when it mattered most.

They are now set to take on a very good Rangers team in a doubleheader game on Memorial Day.

This is the first time that Arizona will face the Rangers this season. They went 1-2 against them last season.

Game 1 (Monday): Martin Perez (0-0, -,–)  vs. Tyler Skaggs (0-0, -,–)

Tyler Skaggs will be making his season debut for the Diamondbacks with this start. Ian Kennedy was scheduled to make this start, but he lacerated his right index finger doing the dishes. Skaggs had a rough start to his season in Triple-A Reno, but has pitched better in recent starts. He was expected to win the competition in spring training for the fifth spot in the rotation, but lost out to Patrick Corbin.

Martin Perez is joining the Rangers rotation after just making four starts in the minors. He was sidelined the first month of the season because of a broken left arm that occurred during Spring Training.

Game 2 (Tuesday): Yu Darvish (7-2, 2.84 ERA) vs. Trevor Cahill (3-5, 2.81 ERA)

Cahill had been terrific in his last five starts by not allowing more than two runs in five straight starts. However, he took a step back in has last start by giving up four runs to the Colorado Rockies. Cahill has made 15 career starts against Texas, and has a 9-4 record with 2.78 ERA.

Yu Darvish has pitched like one of the best pitchers in the AL this season. He will be making his first career start at Chase Field, and is 3-1 with a 1.95 ERA on the road this season. For the month of May in four starts, he has a 2-1 record with a 3.54 ERA. The opposition is hitting has a .192 batting average against him this month.