Rangers
Preview
ARLINGTON, TX — The Texas Rangers return to Globe Life Field on Monday night to open a fresh series against the Baltimore Orioles in a pivotal midseason matchup between two clubs hoping to claw back into the playoff conversation.
The Rangers (41-43) enter the homestand riding momentum from recent solid home performances, where they’ve posted a 24-18 record. Texas has found success by limiting the long ball — owning a 28-12 record in games when they’ve kept their opponents in the yard. With a roster anchored by strong arms and opportunistic offense, the defending champs are looking to find consistency entering July.
Josh Smith continues to be the most consistent bat for Texas, hitting .285 with 12 doubles, a triple, seven home runs, 26 walks, and 21 RBI. Marcus Semien is showing signs of heating up, hitting .250 (11-for-44) over his last 10 games with five RBI.
Baltimore (36-47) arrives in Arlington after a tough stretch, having dropped four of their last five. Still, the Orioles can be dangerous — especially when their bats are hot. They boast a 24-8 record when they out-hit opponents, and feature pop throughout the lineup.
Ryan O’Hearn continues to be a power threat with 10 doubles and 11 home runs, while former top prospect Jackson Holliday is starting to settle in at the plate, going 13-for-45 with two homers and five RBI over his last 10 games.
Key Matchup to Watch:
Texas’ pitching staff vs. Baltimore’s ability to string hits together. If the Rangers can continue to suppress home runs, they’ll have a clear path to a series-opening win.
Season Series:
Monday marks the fourth meeting between the teams this year, with Texas holding the recent edge after taking two of three in Baltimore last week.
First Pitch:
7:05 p.m. CT | Globe Life Field | Broadcast on Bally Sports Southwest and MASN
Both teams are hungry — one to rise back toward contention, the other to stay afloat. Expect an aggressive tone in Monday’s opener as the calendar flips to July.
