PREVIEW: Rangers at Guardians

CLEVELAND (Interstat) — The Texas Rangers and Cleveland Guardians meet Tuesday night at Progressive Field, with both teams jockeying for position in their respective divisions.

First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. EDT under cloudy skies and 88-degree heat.

Texas (42-42) sends right-hander Kumar Rocker to the mound against Cleveland (44-40) right-hander Gavin Williams in the second game of a four-game series. The teams played to a 2-2 tie Monday in the series opener.

Rocker is 3-1 over his last five starts, including a win against these same Guardians on June 5. He allowed two earned runs over five innings in that 3-2 victory. In his most recent outing Sunday at Toronto, Rocker threw six scoreless innings, scattering four hits with five strikeouts in a 3-2 win.

Williams also enters on a high note. He earned the win Sunday against Seattle, allowing two earned runs over five innings with six strikeouts. Williams has been less consistent overall, however, with a 7.20 ERA in his two June losses.

The Rangers took three of four from Toronto over the weekend, winning 3-2 on Sunday after a four-game sweep earlier in the series. Texas has won six of its last 10.

Cleveland took two of three from Seattle at home, including Sunday’s 6-5 victory. The Guardians have hovered near .500 over their last 10 games, going 5-5.

Tuesday’s matchup features two pitchers who faced each other earlier this month in Arlington. Rocker earned the win; Williams took the loss.

Both bullpens could be tested. Tyler Alexander and Cole Winn worked in relief for Texas on Sunday, while Cade Smith and Rhys Hoskins — who drove in two runs — contributed for Cleveland.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Texas is projected to win 6-5. The Rangers are installed as minus-1.5 favorites. The over-under is 7.5 runs.

After Tuesday, the teams meet again Wednesday to conclude the series. Texas then returns home for a six-game homestand against Detroit and the Los Angeles Angels. Cleveland hosts the Chicago White Sox for four games beginning Thursday before traveling to Minnesota and Miami.