The Texas Rangers will be in Baltimore for the next four days starting Thursday to face the Orioles, but the team they defeated in last year’s American League Division Series is currently the least of the Rangers’ problems.
Texas (37-43) squandered all the momentum it had built with a four-game winning streak at home last week, including a sweep of the Kansas City Royals. The Rangers went to Milwaukee and got swept, losing in extra innings on Wednesday.
In the run-up to the finals, the Rangers made a number of moves, including sending all-rounder Ezequiel Duran to Triple-A Round Rock to give him more hitting opportunities and get him out of his offensive slump.
CEO Chris Young, who accompanied the trip, told reporters: “It’s time for us to get going.”
He’s right. The Rangers will reach the halfway point of the season in Baltimore, and they enter that series six games under .500 and 7.5 games back of the AL West. Plus, their rivals, the Houston Astros, are one of the strongest teams in baseball and just hit .500 for the first time this season.
Third baseman Josh Jung is not ready to play yet, but the good news is he has not suffered a setback with his broken wrist. He is just working out to ease the pain. Max Scherzer is expected to start Friday after his usual rest. He threw a bullpen on Wednesday in Milwaukee.
Baltimore (50-30) has one of the best young talents in baseball, led by shortstop Gunnar Henderson. The Orioles don’t look like the team that the Rangers swept 3-0 in last year’s ALDS. They look better.
Here’s the game preview with the likely pitchers, as well as information on how to watch, listen, and more.
Where: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland.
Game on Thursday
Time: 5:35 p.m. CT
TV: Bally Sports Southwest. Radio: 105.3 The Fan, KFLC 1270. Watch on fubo.tv.
Probable pitchers
Texas Rangers: RHP Jon Gray (3-3, 3.03)
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Corbin Burnes (8-3, 2.35)
Game on Friday
Time: 6:05 p.m. CT
TV: Bally Sports Southwest. Radio: 105.3 The Fan, KFLC 1270.
Probable pitchers
Texas Rangers: RHP Max Scherzer (1-0, 0.00)
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Albert Suarez (3-2, 2.70)
Game on Saturday
Time: 6:15 p.m. CT
TV: Fox. Radio: 105.3 The Fan, KFLC 1270.
Probable pitchers
Texas Rangers: RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-3, 3.04)
Baltimore Orioles: Left back Cade Povich (0-2, 4.15)
Game on Sunday
Time: 6:10 p.m. CT
TV: ^ “ESPN: The return of the superstar”. Radio: 105.3 The Fan, KFLC 1270.
Probable pitchers
Texas Rangers: Left-back Andrew Heaney (2-9, 4.17)
Baltimore Orioles: Left-hander Cole Irvin (6-4, 3.74)
Next homestand
July 2 to 4: against San Diego Padres
5 to 7 July: against Tampa Bay Rays
