Arlington, TX (July 18, 2025 ) – The Texas Rangers return to Globe Life Field on Thursday night to open a three-game weekend series against the surging Detroit Tigers. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. CST as the Rangers look to shake off a recent slump and regain momentum heading into the final stretch of July.

Texas (48-49) enters the series just below .500 and 26-19 at home, but they’ll have their hands full with a Tigers team riding a three-game road winning streak. Detroit (46-50) has quietly climbed back into the conversation in the AL Central, thanks to improved pitching and timely offense. The Rangers, meanwhile, have struggled in games where they’ve surrendered long balls — they hold an 18-36 record when allowing at least one home run this season.

Pitching Matchup

The Rangers will likely turn to veteran right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (7-3, 3.88 ERA), who has been in strong form lately. Eovaldi is coming off a stellar outing against Houston, where he held the Astros to just one run over nearly eight innings. Texas will need a similar performance from their ace, particularly as their bullpen has shown signs of wear in recent weeks.

Detroit is expected to counter with young right-hander Reese Olson (4-7, 4.02 ERA), who’s been a bright spot in the Tigers rotation. Olson pitched six solid innings in his last start, scattering four hits and striking out five. He’ll look to continue his strong stretch against a Rangers lineup that’s been inconsistent in July.

Key Players to Watch

Marcus Semien remains one of the most reliable bats in the Texas lineup, and he’s fresh off his milestone 250th career home run against Houston. Alongside Semien, Adolis García has rediscovered his power stroke, launching three homers in his last five games and leading the team with 20 round-trippers.

For Detroit, Riley Greene continues to impress in the leadoff spot. The outfielder is batting .291 with 12 homers and 37 RBIs and has been the table-setter for a Tigers offense that ranks in the top half of the American League in runs scored since the All-Star break.

Trends & Stats

The Rangers have been solid at Globe Life Field but have struggled with the long ball. Opponents have found success punishing mistake pitches, and it’s been a key reason why Texas has dropped games despite competitive offensive numbers.

Detroit, on the other hand, has shown resilience on the road lately. Their bullpen, once a liability, has turned a corner, allowing just four earned runs over their last 18.2 innings entering Thursday’s game. If the Tigers continue that trend, they could be a tough out in Arlington.

Series Storylines

• Bounce-Back Opportunity for Texas: After a tough series against Houston, the Rangers will look to regain their footing and take advantage of a Detroit team that’s still working through growing pains in their young rotation.

• Bullpen Battle: Texas’s late-inning relief has been inconsistent, while Detroit’s recent bullpen surge could give them an edge in close games.

• Power vs. Pitching: The Rangers have multiple power threats throughout their lineup, but they’ll need to get to Olson early before Detroit can turn it over to its improved bullpen.

What’s at Stake

With both teams hovering near the .500 mark, this series could carry implications for Wild Card positioning later in the season. For Texas, a strong showing at home is critical before they head on the road next week. Detroit, meanwhile, will try to build on recent momentum and make a statement with a road series win in the Lone Star State.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CST. The game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Southwest and MLB.tv.