Twins Vs. Rangers: Minnesota Faces Suddenly Slumping Texas

The Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers are both on losing streaks right now -- four straight for the Rangers and two straight for the Twins -- and Minnesota is hoping that they can take advantage against the suddenly slumping best team in baseball.

Minnesota will send Francisco Liriano out to pitch game one of their pre All-Star Game series. Liriano is 2-7 with a 5.40 ERA so far this season, but he'll be facing a slightly easier pitching match up than was originally expected because of the schedule.

Yu Darvish was originally scheduled to start Friday's match but he was removed from the line up after it was revealed he would be starting the All-Star Game. In his stead, the Rangers will put 21 year old Martin Perez on the mound for his second ever major league start. His first went well, earning a win after five and one third innings of two run ball and striking out six.

The game will be at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington at 8:05 p.m. ET.

For more on the Minnesota Twins and the Texas Rangers, check out their respective SB Nation blogs at Twinkie Town and Lone Star Ball. More news and analysis on MLB can be found over at Baseball Nation as well as SB Nation's Youtube Channel: