CLEVELAND (Interstat) — The Texas Rangers and Cleveland Guardians open a three-game series Monday night at Progressive Field with both teams hovering around the .500 mark as the season approaches its midpoint. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. EDT under partly cloudy skies and 77 degrees. The Rangers (42-42) arrive in Cleveland after taking three of four from the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend, capped by a 3-2 victory Sunday. Right-hander Kumar Rocker earned the win in that game, throwing six innings of four-hit shutout ball with five strikeouts, improving to 8-4 on the season. Rocker has been sharp of late. Over his past two starts, he has allowed just two earned runs over 11 innings while striking out 14. His most impressive outing this season came against the Guardians on June 5, when he gave up two earned runs over five innings in a 3-2 win. That performance is part of a mixed head-to-head history between these clubs this month: Cleveland won two of three in Arlington from June 5-7, including a 6-0 shutout Saturday and a 10-0 blowout Sunday before the Rangers salvaged the finale. The Guardians (44-40) enter the series after taking two of three from the Seattle Mariners, winning Sunday 6-5 behind starter Gavin Williams. Williams worked five innings, surrendering two earned runs while striking out six. The right-hander has been inconsistent, however, sporting a 5-5 record. In his last five outings, Williams has allowed two earned runs or fewer three times but has been tagged for seven runs twice, including a 9-4 loss at Milwaukee on June 17. The Rangers are looking to build momentum after sweeping a three-game set against Toronto from June 25-27 before dropping the series opener June 24. Texas’ offense has been productive, scoring at least four runs in eight of its last 10 contests. Cleveland has leaned on timely hitting. Rhys Hoskins delivered a key pinch-hit appearance Sunday, going 2-for-2 with two RBIs. The Guardians have been competitive at home, but bullpen depth will be tested against a Rangers lineup that has shown patience and power. The Interstat game simulator projects a 6-4 Rangers win. Texas will send Rocker to the mound seeking his fourth consecutive decision. Cleveland counters with Williams, who will look to establish consistency and give the Guardians a series-opening boost. Following Monday’s game, the teams meet again Tuesday and Wednesday before Cleveland hosts the Chicago White Sox and Texas returns home to face the Detroit Tigers.