The Texas Rangers kick off their 2026 Cactus League journey with a face-off against the Kansas City Royals today at Surprise Stadium, Arizona. The first pitch is set for 2:05 p.m. CST, and fans are buzzing with anticipation.
Nathan Eovaldi, the seasoned veteran, is set to take the mound, and the Rangers have finally unveiled their starting lineup for the opener. While most of today's starters are expected to be in the Opening Day roster, the absence of outfielders Wyatt Langford and Brandon Nimmo has caught some attention. But fear not, Rangers faithful-both players are simply following their conditioning plans to ease into the season, as reported by Evan Grant from The Dallas Morning News.
The lineup today features many familiar faces. The debate over center field seems settled for now, with Evan Carter getting the nod, aligning with Chris Young's recent comments about Carter being the primary starter. Corey Seager, Joc Pederson, Jake Burger, Josh Jung, and Josh Smith fill their expected roles, while Kyle Higashioka is likely to share catching duties with Danny Jansen this season.
Michael Helman and Alejandro Osuna are also in the lineup. Both players have a lot to prove this spring, with Osuna's upcoming stint with Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic potentially influencing his spot on the 26-man roster.
As is typical in spring training, expect the starting players to see limited action today, with Eovaldi likely pitching just a few innings.
And for those keeping tabs on the opposition, the Royals have also released their lineup, ready to get this baseball season underway. Let the games begin!