The set-up: The Texas Rangers took a four-game winning streak, one in which they had scored 37 runs (9.25 per), into Friday night's second contest of a four-game series with the Chicago White Sox, owners of the American League's worst record. However, Texas was held to just three runs on six hits in the one-run loss. It was just the Rangers' second loss in their last nine games, as the club sits 1 1/2 games behind Minnesota and the LA Angels in the battle for the American League's second wild card. Chicago ended a five-game losing streak but the White Sox have been in a free-fall since July 4, going 9-32 to leave them with a 46-73 record (only the Phillies, at 43-77, are worse in all of MLB!).

The pitching matchup: Derek Holland (6-12, & 5.68 ERA) will take the mound for Chicago against his ex-teammates and the Rangers will counter with Martin Perez (7-10 & 5.08 ERA). Holland was 'lit up' by the Royals on Sunday, allowing seven runs on seven hits in a season-low two innings of a 14-6 KC victory. Holland was off to a decent start in the season's first two months (4-4 with a 2.37 ERA through the end of May) but he's 2-8 with a horrific 9.05 ERA in 14 appearances (13 starts / team is 2-11!) over the past 2 1/2 months. Perez comes into this contest having posted back-to-back victories after losing his previous four starts. He allowed three runs on nine hits over 14 innings in the two victories (1.93), which came off him getting rocked for 23 runs on 32 hits in 22 innings during his slump (9.41 ERA).

The pick: Holland has faced his ex-team just once (July 1 on this season), and allowed five ERs over 5 1/3 innings of a 10-4 loss. However, now that the first start against Texas is out of the way, he's approaching Saturday like it's a normal outing. I expect him to be much better this time around and Perez is not only off solid back-to-back starts but he's 2-1 with a 3.74 ERA in three career starts against the White Sox. Make the Under a 10* play.