Series preview: Rangers at Blue Jays

ROGERS CENTRE

TV: Sportsnet (Fri.), Sportsnet One (Sat.-Sun.) RADIO: Sportsnet 590 The FAN

PROBABLES

Friday, 7 p.m. LH Mike Minor (1-1, 3.86) vs. RH Marcus Stroman (0-2, 8.55) Saturday, 4 p.m. RH Bartolo Colon (0-0, 2.59) vs. LH Jaime Garcia (2-1, 4.57) Sunday, 1 p.m. LH Martin Perez (2-2, 9.82) vs. LH J.A. Happ (3-1, 3.72)

KEY PLAYERS

Choo/Pearce Shin Soo Choo came up with three RBIs against the Blue Jays last time around, more than any Rangers player except Joey Gallo. The designated hitter is hitting .242 (through Wednesday) with five home runs and 11 RBIs. Steve Pearce, who is likely to see action as Toronto faces two lefties in this series, is hitting .314 thus far, with 11 RBIs of his own. His career line against the Rangers is a healthy .291/.361/.722 with a 1.083 OPS.

NEED TO KNOW

Injuries have devastated the Rangers, who have used the disabled list a league-high 14 times. The latest victim was third baseman Adrian Beltre, who went on the DL for a third time this season after suffering a grade one hamstring strain a day this week. He joins two other infield regulars on the sidelines: shortstop Elvis Andrus and second baseman Rougned Odor ... The Rangers are last in the American League West with a 9-17 record ... The Blue Jays won the first series between these teams, 2-1, in Texas earlier this month ... Reliever John Axford, placed on the bereavement list for Toronto’s series against Boston, will rejoin the team Friday.

ON DECK

Three games at Minnesota, starting Monday.