ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers are in quite a groove right now, and they know it.Its an unbelievable lineup, catcher Jonathan Lucroy said. Anybody can hurt you on any given day.The Rangers (69-48) are in firm control in the American League West thanks to a recent 14-6 surge thats given Texas a 7 1/2-game cushion over Seattle and Houston in the division. Its also been six wins in the last seven games, including Fridays 8-5 victory over Detroit.The Rangers and Tigers continue their three-game set with the middle game Saturday night at Globe Life Park. Texas has beaten Detroit six straight times, with the last four coming this season.The Rangers look to make it seven in a row with ace Cole Hamels (12-3, 2.89 ERA) taking the mound for the 24th time this season. The lefty has gone 3-1 with a 1.83 ERA in five starts since the All-Star break. Hamels is 3-1 lifetime against Detroit.Detroit (61-54) hopes to snap a five-game skid with left-hander Matt Boyd (3-2, 4.69) making his 11th start of the season. Boyd is 0-3 record with a 7.63 ERA in his career against Texas.Boyd made a relief appearance Aug. 9 at Seattle, walking one and striking out one in a scoreless inning. His last start was Aug. 6 against the New York Mets, picking up the win after giving up three runs on six hits with five strikeouts over five innings.The Tigers are in the midst of their second-longest skid of the season. Detroit is 1 1/2 games out of the second wild-card spot in the American League.The ups and downs, its hard to describe for people that dont go through it, Tigers catcher James McCann said, but its something we just have to grind our way through.Texas owns the best record in the A.L. and the best 117-game mark in franchise history. The Rangers are 36-18 at home, their best start ever through 54 games.The long ball was good for the Rangers in the series opener, as Texas went deep four times. Trade-deadline pickup Jonathan Lucroy hit two homers to give him six since joining the Rangers on Aug. 1.Lucroy has earned kudos for his handling of the pitching staff in addition to his bat.He doesnt miss his pitch very often, Texas manager Jeff Banister said. For him to come in and really make an immediate impact, not only defensively but offensively, is pretty special.Texas leads the major leagues with 89 home runs since June 9.The Tigers suffered another injury before Fridays game as shortstop Jose Iglesias was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain. Third baseman Nick Castellanos and center fielder Cameron Maybin are also on the DL, along with starting pitchers Jordan Zimmermann and Mike Pelfrey.Were backed into a little bit of a corner because of injuries, manager Brad Ausmus said. 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I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. Richie McCaw was in unchartered territory on Tuesday.The man regarded as one of rugbys greatest ever players -- if not the greatest -- a winner of two Rugby World Cups, seemingly endless Bledisloe triumphs and a handful of Super Rugby titles, was in unfamiliar surroundings.McCaw, in Sydney ahead of the premiere of the documentary Chasing Great, which charts his journey from talented rugby teenager to global superstar, experienced a foreign feeling: Australian admiration.Oh, yeah I probably am to be honest, when asked whether he was feeling the local love.I think youre right, a lot of the times you come over here [Australia], its leading up to the game on Saturday which has its, I guess, different feel about it.Given the fact this is in fact a Bledisloe Cup week, McCaw may have expected a more frosty or at least banter-heavy crowd at the Star Casino. But for the large show of corporates on hand, of which there was more than just a smattering of Kiwis, they were glued to his every word spliced between clips of a film which goes deep within the Test greats mind and the inner sanctum of the All Blacks.From his humble beginnings as an Otago schoolboy, the rapid ascension to the All Blacks and promotion to captain, the heartache of the shock quarterfinal loss to France in 2007 and then the ultimate double redemption of two consecutive World Cup triumphs, Chasing Great travels the highs and lows of McCaws astonishing career.And given he was there for the first eight victories of the current All Blacks record-equalling run, he will be as much a part of the new mark should New Zealand defeat Australia on Saturday to notch an 18th straight win.I think they have got better, theres no doubt, McCaw said when asked about how the All Blacks had performed since his retirement.Well Steve Hansen for a start was going to set the tone that that [a drop-off in form] wasnt acceptable if we did. But if you look at the guys that are still there, you know like Kieran Read whos captain, hes played 90-something Tests now; Owen Frranks has played about that as well; so theres a lot of experience there.dddddddddddd.So having that as an excuse, you know I havent been too close to them, but just listening to the way they talk, theyve pretty much eliminated that as an excuse to drive them. And I think from my point of view and I think the same for the guys that are left, if they had dipped well that probably shows that we havent left it in the right shape that it should be.That was a big thing we talked about over the last four years, its got to be able to be whoever fills that jersey, whether youve been around for a while or not, you make sure its better. And I think thats what happened, which I guess from my point of view sitting back with a bit of pride, you know that the guys have got that drive to be better which is awesome.Chasing Great is in cinemas across Australia this weekend while McCaw will no doubt be looking forward to a spell away from the publicity trail.He will return to flying gliders and helicopters in New Zealands South Island, but given his amazing career and New Zealands rugby-mad public, he will always retain celebrity status.Asked to answer one final question on Tuesday, how he defined greatness -- an appropriate query given the films title -- McCaw responded: I think the one thing is: be consistent. Theres players that youd say had the most talent, could do the most special things; but they only did it for a small amount of time.I think people that can perform at a level thats right up there for a long period of time; that takes a lot of energy and effort. And thats what I think is a good criteria if youre going to talk about something like that.McCaws greatness few would dare question and now that we have his definition on that topic -- prolonged consistency -- a win on Saturday for the All Blacks team he left in such great shape will ensure they too ascend to the same category. ' ' '