As the Texas Rangers gear up to face the Los Angeles Angels this weekend, there’s a buzz of anticipation. With a record hovering just below .500, the Rangers are poised to tip the scales in their favor if they can clinch two out of the three games in Anaheim.
Fresh off a successful series in Colorado, where they took two of three, the Rangers stand at 3-3 on their current road trip that began in Houston. A winning series against the Angels would not only boost their record but also set a positive tone as they prepare to host Houston on Memorial Day.
Let’s dive into the key storylines that could shape this pivotal series.
First up, Brandon Nimmo is a name to keep an eye on. The outfielder left Wednesday’s game in Colorado due to right hamstring tightness, an issue that’s been a recurring theme this season.
It’s the third instance of him exiting a game for this reason. Nimmo, who insisted he felt completely fine post-game, even tried to wave off manager Skip Schumaker and a trainer after hustling for a single.
The Rangers, erring on the side of caution, removed him due to the chilly weather, a decision reminiscent of his earlier exit in Detroit on May 1. The big question is how the Rangers will manage his playing time.
After the Detroit incident, they opted to use him as a designated hitter and provided strategic rest days. It remains to be seen if they’ll follow a similar approach as they kick off the series on Friday.
Meanwhile, outfielder Wyatt Langford is another player whose status could impact the series. Langford, sidelined since April 22 with a right forearm strain, mentioned to MLB.com that he was awaiting the results of one final arm strength test before resuming batting activities.
If he gets the green light, fans might see him taking live batting practice in Anaheim. Langford’s bat is sorely missed in the lineup, and Texas is playing it safe after a near-return was thwarted by a setback during a rehab game.
Offensively, the Rangers are starting to find their groove. Since their clash with Houston last Sunday, they’ve been on a tear, scoring 29 runs and posting a 3-1 record in their last four games.
This offensive surge has seen their team batting average climb by eight points and their OPS by 19 points. The Rangers have been striving for an offense that thrives on creating traffic on the basepaths rather than relying solely on the long ball.
In their recent stretch, they’ve amassed 46 hits, including 13 doubles and six home runs, with 28 RBIs. Their impressive slash line of .307/.371/.513 and an OPS of .885 suggests they’re on the right track.
This series against the Angels offers a chance to see if they can sustain this level of production.
On the mound, lefty MacKenzie Gore’s status is a bit of a question mark. After leaving his last start in Colorado with left lat tightness, Gore has declared himself ready following a bullpen session in Denver.
However, the Rangers have yet to confirm him as a starter for this series. With Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi lined up for Friday and Saturday, Sunday’s starter remains a mystery.
Ideally, Gore would take the mound on Sunday, but if he’s not ready, the Rangers might have to get creative. Should Gore be unavailable, they could turn to Kumar Rocker, who impressed in his last outing, or opt for a bullpen game.
As the Rangers look to make a statement in Anaheim, these storylines will be crucial in determining whether they can return home with a winning record and momentum on their side.
