The Rangers are back home Friday night looking for a series win and a little more traction in the American League West race as they open a three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Field.
Texas enters at 57-58 and sits 1.5 games behind the Houston Astros, who seized control of the division after sweeping the Rangers last weekend in Houston. Because the Astros own the season series, a tie would still favor Houston for the division or a playoff berth. That means Texas has to finish at least one game ahead of its in-state rival to claim any sort of postseason spot.
Nathan Eovaldi gets the ball for the Rangers as they turn back to the middle of their rotation. He’ll face Baltimore right-hander Shane Baz in Friday’s 7:05 p.m. opener.
Friday: 7:05 p.m. - TV: Rangers: Apple TV; Orioles: Apple TV
Radio: Rangers: KRLD 1080, KFLC 1270; Orioles: 98 Rock 97.9 FM, WBAL 1090 AM
Friday: Texas RHP Nathan Eovaldi (10-9, 4.31) vs. Orioles RHP Shane Baz (4-10, 3.86)
At the plate, three Rangers stand out as the key bats to watch against Baz.
Brandon Nimmo has the best history in this matchup, even if the sample is tiny. He’s 1-for-3 against Baz and is hitting .333 in those meetings.
More important for Texas right now, Nimmo has been locked in over his last 15 games, slashing .364/.426/.618 to lift his season average to .274. He’s also still in position to reach 20 home runs for the sixth straight season.
Corey Seager comes in rested after getting two days off and carries some momentum from Tuesday’s game against San Francisco. He went 3-for-4 with two runs and a walk in that one, and over his last five games he’s posted a .350/.480/.400 line. The power hasn’t fully shown up yet, though, with three home runs over his last 15 games.
Then there’s Ezequiel Duran, who keeps looking like the kind of bat Texas hoped it was getting in the Joey Gallo trade in 2021. He exploded Tuesday with a 3-for-5 night, four RBI and a walk-off hit, and over his last 15 games he’s slashing .333/.365/.614 with three homers and 13 RBI. With Josh Jung injured, Duran has been handling third base, but his versatility has been on full display - he’s already played seven positions, with only pitcher and catcher left.
In Other News...
Rangers Fans Just Got Another Reminder About Their Depth Search
The search for extra infield and outfield help keeps circling back to the waiver-and-minors market, and one familiar name has now come loose again. Sam Haggerty was released by the Reds after spending time with their Triple-A club in Louisville, adding another versatile option to the pool for teams still sorting through the back end of their roster.
For a Rangers club that has been keeping an eye on depth across the diamond, moves like this are the kind that can matter later even if they do not make a big immediate splash. Cincinnati also added left-hander Kent Emanuel on a minor league deal after his stops in the Mexican League and Atlantic League, a reminder that clubs are still working the edges of the roster while the bigger questions remain unresolved. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Turn To A New Infield Fix At A Crucial Time
Josh Jungs calf injury has forced the Rangers to keep shuffling the infield, and the latest move came with the club trying to protect a four-game winning streak and its place near the top of the AL West. To help cover third base, Texas brought in Jonah Bride from Triple-A Round Rock, giving the roster a fresh look at a spot that has become a little less certain just as the standings tighten.
The adjustment also rippled through the rest of the diamond, with Ezequiel Duran sliding to shortstop and Corey Seager moving into the designated hitter role. To create room on the 40-man roster, the Rangers also shifted Jack Leiter to the 60-day injured list, a reminder that even in a good stretch, the margins can get thin fast when injuries start changing the shape of the lineup. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Still Have One Clear Path To Veteran Help
The Rangers did not make a splash at the trade deadline, but that does not mean their work is done. With the waiver wire now the likeliest place for a late upgrade, Texas is keeping tabs on a handful of veterans who could shake free if their current clubs decide to move on. The appeal is obvious for a team trying to stay positioned for October: a player becomes available, costs only a claim, and can be plugged in without the sort of prospect haul that usually comes with deadline help.
George Springer is the most notable name in that group, though his recent struggles make his situation feel like one to watch rather than one to bank on. The same goes for a few other veterans whose value is tied as much to their track record as their present form, which is why the Rangers are monitoring the market instead of forcing a move. If one of those players hits waivers, Texas will be ready to decide quickly whether the fit is worth the gamble. [Read more 🡒]