The Texas Rangers are getting healthy and hitting their stride as they host the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday in Arlington, Texas.
Wyatt Langford and Corey Seager were activated from the injured list on Friday and impacted the Rangers’ rally that led to the team’s 3-2 win later that night. Langford doubled in the sixth inning and scored on Seager’s opposite-field homer.
Winners of six of their last seven games, the Rangers have pulled within one game of .500.
“Wyatt and I came back at a good time,” Seager said. “Honestly, this team is rolling, we are just trying to hop on board and keep the momentum going.”
Acquired in a November trade after spending 10 seasons with the New York Mets, Brandon Nimmo sees the Rangers’ potential now that its lineup is healthy.
“This team has all the makings for a playoff push,” Nimmo said. “Once you get your foot in the door anything can happen. With Wyatt and Corey back, we are just hitting our stride, and the best is ahead of us.”
Texas will turn to right-hander Jack Leiter (3-4, 4.34 ERA) to start Saturday’s game.
Leiter earned the win with a strong outing in a 6-3 home victory over the Kansas City Royals last Sunday. He gave up three hits, two walks and struck out 10 batters in 5 2/3 scoreless innings.
In three career starts against the Guardians, Leiter is 2-1 with a 4.60 ERA.
Cleveland leadoff man Travis Bazzana continued the stellar start to his career by finishing a double short of the cycle on Friday. He led off the game with his fourth home run, added a triple and also stole his ninth base.
Although he wasn’t called up to the major-league club until April 28, Bazzana has fit right in at the top of the Cleveland lineup.
“I hit leadoff my whole life so it didn’t feel like too much of a transition,” he said. “I am just trying to keep the at-bat quality there and win ball games.”
He’s also embraced the amount of information available on opponents.
“When it comes to analytics, I love it and want all the information,” Bazzana said. “At the end of the day I have to compete in the box. But if I can figure out where I am best and what pitches I want to swing at while learning about pitchers and having a plan … there’s a lot that goes into it but a ton that can help me.”
Cleveland is scheduled to start right-hander Tanner Bibee (0-7, 4.57 ERA) on Saturday.
Bibee received a no-decision in a 9-4 home loss to the Boston Red Sox last Sunday. He allowed three runs on six hits with one walk and five strikeouts.
Bibee has made four starts against the Rangers and has a 0-1 record with a 2.82 ERA. He has 20 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings.
Cleveland has lost four of its last six games but still holds a two-game lead in the American League Central.
–Field Level Media
