Opposite dugout: Rangers, O's set for series of reunions in Texas

Manager: Ron Washington, eighth year Record: 29-28 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: LF Shin-Soo Choo (.289/.414/.456, 6 HR, 18 RBIs); RF Alex Rios (.320/.352/.473, 22 XBH, 29 RBIs, 11 SB); 3B Adrian Beltre (.291/.354/.442, 5 HR, 20 RBIs); RHP Nick Martinez (1-1, 2.75 ERA) Season series vs. O's (2013): 2-5, 25 runs scored, 32 runs allowed Pitching probables June 3: Joe Saunders vs. Ubaldo Jimenez, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD June 4: Nick Martinez vs. Bud Norris, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD June 5: Colby Lewis vs. Miguel Gonzalez, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD Series breakdown A series of reunions take place as the Rangers open a mid-week set against the Orioles in Arlington, Texas. Major league homer and RBI leader Nelson Cruz will get to play against his former team for the first time since signing a one-year deal with Baltimore in the offseason, as long as his bruised left hand continues to improve. Cruz is a career .294/.356/.555 hitter at Globe Life Park in Arlington. First baseman also Chris Davis also sees his former team again. On the other side, left-hander Joe Saunders, who started for the Orioles in their 2012 American League Wild Card win in Texas, starts for the Rangers in tonight's opener. It will be his second outing back from the disabled list. Aside from that, Texas will be looking to rebound from dropping two of three in Washington, although the Rangers did win Sunday's series finale and have won six of their last nine games. And they're getting it done despite suffering more major injuries than most teams would want to absorb in a full season. Texas is without first baseman Prince Fielder, infielder Jurickson Profar, catcher Geovany Soto, third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, and starters Matt Harrison, Derek Holland and Martin Perez. The majority of those injuries are of the long-term variety. But even with that being the case, the Rangers rank second in the AL with a .266 average and seventh with 238 runs. Power hasn't been one of their strengths like it has been most seasons, as they have hit the second-fewest in the AL. Outfielders Shin-Soo Choo (.870 OPS) and Alex Rios (.825 OPS) have been the central figures on offense. Choo leads the team with six homers and a .414 on-base percentage. Rios leads Texas with 22 extra-base hits, a .320 average and 29 RBIs. The Rangers haven't been as good on the mound, ranking 13th in the AL with a 4.29 ERA. The Orioles won't need to go through Texas ace Yu Darvish, but will see Saunders, right-hander Nick Martinez and right-hander Colby Lewis. Saunders was solid in his first start back from the DL, tossing five scoreless innings on May 28. The 23-year-old Martinez has done well since moving back into the rotation on May 18, allowing six runs in 16 2/3 innings for a 3.24 ERA. The bullpen ranks 11th in the AL with a 4.13 ERA, but closer Joakim Soria has been excellent, with a 2.25 ERA and 11 saves in 12 chances. Even though the Rangers are severely shorthanded, they have continued to be a winning club that has caused opponents problems all year, so the Orioles should be ready.