The Rangers’ bats have finally come alive, and Texas will look to continue its recent scoring prowess when it faces the Chicago White Sox on Friday in the opener of a three-game series in Arlington, Texas.
The White Sox will send right hander Adrian Houser (2-1, 1.48 ERA) to the mound. The Rangers will counter with a bullpen game as their rotation has shrunk with right-hander Nathan Eovaldi on the injured list due to a right triceps injury.
The Rangers head back to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to begin a six-game homestand that will also include three games against the Kansas City Royals. Texas has won four of its past five games and captured back-to-back series in Washington and Minnesota, the latter punctuated by a 16-3 victory over the Twins on Thursday afternoon.
The Rangers put up 34 runs in the Minnesota series, the most they have scored in any three-game set since 2012.
“That’s what you need to do every day — have good at-bats,” catcher Kyle Higashioka said. “Put the ball in play, hit the ball hard. We’ll be where we want to be at the end of the season if that happens.”
Texas has pounded out 11 home runs over its past four games, including six on Thursday when Wyatt Langford, Adolis Garcia and late-game substitute Sam Haggerty all produced three-run round-trippers in the definitive victory. Josh Smith, Jake Burger and Evan Carter added solo shots.
“I think you see some guys that’re getting their timing and making consistent hard contact,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “I think that’s the biggest thing that’s been going on with us.”
The Rangers resorted to a bullpen game for the first time this season on Sunday in Washington. Left-hander Jacob Latz allowed two runs on two hits in 3 1/3 innings as the first of five pitchers in a contest Texas won 4-2.
The White Sox took two of three from Texas from May 23-25 on the Windy City’s South Side, with the Rangers rallying late in the series finale to prevent a sweep.
Chicago continues its Lone Star State road trip after losing the last two during a three-game series in Houston, the latest a 4-3 setback on Thursday. Edgar Quero had three hits and drove in two runs, and Mike Tauchman ripped a home run to lead off the ninth inning, drawing the White Sox within a run.
The White Sox are 5-5 over their past 10 games, including a three-game home series win against Kansas City and a split of four contests against the visiting Detroit Tigers.
Houser started 2025 in the Rangers’ organization, going 2-2 with a 5.03 ERA over nine appearances (eight starts) with Triple-A Round Rock. He was released on May 15 without having a major league deal in place and signed with the White Sox five days later.
In his four starts since, Houser has given up three runs or fewer each time. He yielded one run on six hits and one walk over six innings while striking out six on Saturday in a home victory over the Royals.
“I’ve been able to use all my pitches and throw them in the zone and get hitters to swing,” Houser said about his recent success. “I’m trying to get ahead, force (the batters) to swing and hit my pitch and try to get them out early in the count.”
Houser is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three appearances (two starts) against Texas.
–Field Level Media
