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Tigers Vs. Rangers: Detroit Pitching Staff To Get Tested By AL's Best Offense

The Detroit Tigers allowed just six runs in their three-game sweep of the Royals. But the Texas Rangers, who lead the league in homers, should pose a stiff test to the Tigers' rotation.

Mar. 5, 2012; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Adam Wilk pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE
Mar. 5, 2012; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Adam Wilk pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

In a rematch of the 2011 American League Championship Series, the Detroit Tigers will host the Texas Rangers for a four-game series starting Thursday.

The Tigers are fresh off a sweep of the Kansas City Royals. The Tigers scored a mere 10 runs in the three-game series, but the pitching was nails, holding the Royals to just six runs.

Adam Wilk, 0-1, is expected to start for the Tigers. In his first major league start last week against the Chicago White Sox, Wilk pitched five innings, giving up two runs and striking out four. His outing ended, however, when Prince Fielder smoked a line drive into the dugout. The ball struck Wilk in the shoulder, but he will reportedly be healthy for start No. 2.

The Tigers' pitching will be tested in this series. Josh Hamilton comes in with an MLB-best batting average of .440, and an MLB-best five home runs. As a team, the Rangers are second in batting average (.293) and runs (69), and first in home runs (22).

Thursday's games starts at 7:05 ET.

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