The Texas Rangers will head into Thursday’s series finale against the Los Angeles Angels with a significantly stronger lineup after welcoming back two key offensive contributors, providing a much-needed boost as the club looks to finish the first half of the season on a positive note.
Texas enters the decisive matchup with a 46-46 record after splitting the opening two games of the three-game series. The Rangers claimed the opener with an 8-3 victory, powered by late home runs from Justin Foscue and Alejandro Osuna, but struggled to maintain that momentum in Wednesday’s contest, suffering a lopsided 13-1 defeat.
The loss exposed the Rangers’ offensive struggles, with catcher Kyle Higashioka accounting for the team’s only run on a solo home run. On the mound, MacKenzie Gore endured a difficult outing, allowing seven runs over five innings as the Angels cruised to an emphatic victory.
Looking to bounce back and secure the series, manager Skip Schumaker will have two important bats back in the lineup.
Outfielder Wyatt Langford returns after missing time with a left hamstring strain that landed him on the 10-day injured list on June 28. The injury marked his second stint on the IL this season, but the Rangers are optimistic that one of their top young stars can quickly regain the form he displayed before getting hurt.
Langford was one of Texas’ hottest hitters throughout June, batting .317 with a .371 on-base percentage and an impressive .634 slugging percentage. He also blasted seven home runs while driving in 16 runs during the month, emerging as one of the club’s most dangerous offensive weapons.
His return comes at a critical point as the Rangers attempt to stay in postseason contention ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
To make room on the active roster, Texas optioned infielder Josh Smith to Triple-A.
The Rangers also welcomed back third baseman Josh Jung, who rejoins the starting lineup after missing the previous three games. Jung had been swinging the bat well before his brief absence, collecting hits in six of his last seven games and providing consistent production in the middle of the order.
With both Langford and Jung available again, Texas hopes to reignite an offense that struggled mightily against the Angels on Wednesday.
The Rangers’ lineup for the finale features Justin Foscue leading off and playing second base, followed by Langford serving as designated hitter. Brandon Nimmo bats third in right field, with Jung returning to third base in the cleanup role. Jake Burger starts at first base, Ezequiel Duran handles shortstop, Higashioka catches after homering the previous night, Cam Cauley patrols center field, and Alejandro Osuna rounds out the lineup in left field.
Texas will face Angels left-hander Reid Detmers, who has compiled a 4.13 ERA through 18 starts this season. Detmers has already demonstrated his ability to dominate the Rangers, delivering one of his finest performances of the year against Texas on May 24.
In that outing, the left-hander threw eight outstanding innings, surrendered just one hit and one run, and struck out 14 Rangers hitters in a dominant display.
The Rangers will attempt to make significant adjustments this time around, particularly against left-handed pitching.
Foscue has been one of the club’s most effective hitters against southpaws this season, entering the game with a .348 batting average, four home runs and 12 RBIs against left-handed pitchers. Texas’ lineup also features only two left-handed hitters—Brandon Nimmo and Alejandro Osuna—in an effort to maximize its matchup against Detmers.
On the mound, the Rangers will rely on veteran right-hander Nathan Eovaldi to help secure the series victory. Eovaldi previously faced the Angels this season, pitching seven innings while allowing three earned runs and striking out six batters.
Although his overall campaign has featured periods of inconsistency, Eovaldi has continued to deliver quality outings when the Rangers have needed stability from their rotation.
With Langford and Jung back in the lineup and Eovaldi taking the ball, Texas hopes the returning firepower will be enough to bounce back from Wednesday’s defeat and head into the All-Star break with a crucial series win over its American League West rival.
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