Tigers send Fister to hill versus Rangers

Doug Fister eyes just his second win in his last 11 starts on Friday when the Detroit Tigers kick off a three-game series with the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park.

Fister started the year by winning five of his first six decisions, but has since dropped four of five and has been atrocious his last two times out. He did not get a decision on Sunday in Cleveland, but the Tribe rocked him for six runs in six innings of a 9-6 loss.

He also gave up six runs in a no-decision in his previous start.

"I got a little bit into the nibbling on the corners and walked a couple guys, which kind of started the ball rolling," Fister said. "I've got to fix that. I can't do that. I have to attack guys like I've done in the past."

Fister's struggles could continue, as he is just 2-4 in eight starts versus the Rangers with a 6.00 ERA.

Detroit stumbled this week versus the lowly Chicago White Sox, losing two of three to the AL Central bottom feeders, including a 6-3 setback in Thursday's rubber match.

Miguel Cabrera launched his 30th home run of the season in the loss and should stay hot on Friday, as his .384 lifetime average against the Rangers is the highest among an active opponent with at least 50 at-bats. He also has the third-highest slugging percentage (.642) and third-highest on-base percentage (.433) among an active opponent against the Rangers.

Cabrera has 12 home runs and 60 RBI in 56 games against Texas.

"He's on pace to have 200 RBIs and 90 home runs; if he does that, it's Little League," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "You just hope when he puts a swing on a pitch, someone is there to catch it. But you don't get off easy with Prince. I try to pitch around Cabrera and you see what happens ... double, home run, because he goes out of the zone to get it. If you execute on Prince, you might get lucky. You can't get lucky on Cabrera. I said you 'might' get lucky on Prince."

Drawing the unenviable task of facing Cabrera will be righty Justin Grimm, who is 7-6 with a 5.88 ERA. Grimm did not get a decision on Sunday against Houston, but was awful, surrendering four runs (3 earned) and six hits in four innings of a 5-4 win.

Grimm is 1-1 in two starts versus the Tigers with a 9.39 ERA.

Texas lost the final two games of its four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles this past week, falling 3-1 in Thursday's finale at Camden Yards.

Ian Kinsler hit a solo homer to provide the lone run for the Rangers, who had won five of six prior to losing the final two games of that set.

Texas is 3-1 this season against the Tigers.