The Texas Rangers have been struggling at the plate, but their starting pitching continues to give them a fighting chance in most games.
They return home Monday to kick off a six-game homestand, starting with a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays, followed by a Thursday off-day and then three games versus the St. Louis Cardinals.
Texas is coming off a disappointing road trip, having been swept by the New York Yankees and dropping a series to the struggling Chicago White Sox. Sitting in fourth place in the AL West, the Rangers are still in the divisional race, but their position is becoming increasingly precarious as June nears.
The good news? The Rangers are set to throw their top three starters in the series against Toronto—something that wasn’t necessarily planned but worked out in their favor. All three rank in the Top 7 for ERA in the American League, a distinction no other AL rotation can currently claim.
Game 1: Memorial Day Matchup
Right-hander Jacob deGrom (4-1, 2.33 ERA) will take the mound for the 3:05 p.m. Memorial Day game, going head-to-head with Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman (4-4, 4.03 ERA).
deGrom appears to have fully bounced back from Tommy John surgery and is back in Cy Young form. In 10 starts, he’s logged 58 innings with 62 strikeouts and just 12 walks. He’s coming off a recent outing where he went eight innings for the first time as a Ranger.
Gausman is a seasoned veteran with four straight 12-win seasons. In his last start, he threw seven shutout innings against the Padres with nine strikeouts.
Game 2: Tuesday Night
On Tuesday at 7:05 p.m., Nathan Eovaldi (4-3, 1.60 ERA) will start for Texas against Bowden Francis (2-6, 5.54 ERA).
Eovaldi has been dominant this year, sitting third in the AL in ERA with 71 strikeouts and just nine walks over 67.1 innings. Despite a strong outing against the Yankees in his last start, he took the loss after allowing only one earned run over six innings.
Francis has had a rocky season, allowing 16 walks over 50.1 innings with a 5.54 ERA. He lasted just four innings in his most recent start.
Game 3: Series Finale
In Wednesday’s 7:05 p.m. series closer, the Rangers will send Tyler Mahle (5-2, 1.80 ERA) to the mound. The Blue Jays have not yet announced their starter.
Mahle’s comeback story has been a highlight for Texas. After joining the team while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, he’s been stellar with 43 strikeouts and only 12 walks across 60 innings. Although he lost his last start to the Yankees, he picked up wins in his previous two, both at home.
With their best arms lined up, the Rangers have a prime opportunity to turn things around and regain momentum in the AL West race.
