The Texas Rangers hit the road for a six-game trip starting tonight in Chicago, and the lineup looks thin. This team has been inconsistent all year, sitting under .500 while still hanging around in the AL West race. They need a spark against a former Astro who has given them trouble before.
Duran is the only answer
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes that the Rangers are turning to Ezequiel Duran as a solution in a season of inconsistency. That is a bold move for a club that has struggled to find rhythm at the plate. Tonight’s lineup has Duran at third base, sitting between Brandon Nimmo and Evan Carter. It looks like an attempt to inject some energy into a group that has gone quiet.
Jeff Wilson has noted that the rotation held things together on the recent homestand while the lineup stayed quiet. The hitters simply have not gotten on base enough. Sliding Duran into the hot corner is one more try to get something going.
Rocker vs. Urquidy showdown
Kumar Rocker takes the mound for the Rangers against Jose Urquidy for the White Sox. Chicago acquired Urquidy from Pittsburgh about a month ago. This is his first major league start since he pitched for Houston in 2023. Lone Star Ball notes that Urquidy was very good against the Rangers when he was with the Astros in the regular season. He knows these hitters.
First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. Central. The Rangers are listed as +117 underdogs. That line says the bookmakers do not trust this lineup to score enough runs. The White Sox get a pitcher with a history of limiting Texas.
Logan O’Hoppe was just recalled from Triple-A after finding his confidence at Round Rock, giving the Rangers another right-handed bat off the bench. Elias Diaz is behind the plate tonight. The pressure still falls on the top of the order to get on base and give Rocker some support.
