Brett Anderson, Dodgers try to cool off Rangers

Weather permitting, the Dodgers finish off the Texas portion of their two-city, four-game series against the Rangers on Tuesday night at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

Brett Anderson is set to make his 13th start of the season, a milestone he hasn't reached since 2011. With good health all season, this year has been a series of "first since..." moments for the left-hander.

He last started in Arlington in 2011, making four starts in Texas from 2009-2011 in his first three years with the A's. Coupled with a two-batter, two-walk relief appearance in September 2013, Anderson has not had success in Arlington, going 0-3 with a 9.77 ERA, allowing 19 runs (17 earned) on 23 hits in 15⅔ innings, with 13 walks and 13 strikeouts.

But none of that is relevant now beyond triviality. What is relevant is Anderson performing well this season, as he has done to date. His 67-percent ground ball rate is the best of his career, and leads baseball. His strikeout rate is a manageable 16.7 percent, and has been 20 percent in his last six starts.

The left-hander has been pitching deeper into games too, lasting at least six innings in four of his last five starts after doing so just twice in his first seven outings.

Anderson will face a Rangers team that is 18-7 in their last 25 games, averaging 5.28 runs per game during that span.

Chi Chi Gonzalez makes his fourth major league start for Texas. The 23-year-old right-hander has allowed one run in those first three starts, despite a 9.4-percent strikeout rate and more walks (10) than strikeouts (eight).

Rangers starting pitchers have 11 consecutive quality starts, setting a new franchise record, surpassing the 10 straight by Texas from Sept. 10-17, 1978. Rangers starters during that streak have a 1.64 ERA and have averaged 6.97 innings per start.

Game info

Time: 5:05 p.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA