The Texas Rangers are back in action on Saturday for the second game of their three-game series against the Atlanta Braves.
The Texas Rangers won’t have to wait very long to have the chance to avenge Friday night’s 15-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
Less than 24 hours later, the Rangers are back in action for game two of their series in Atlanta. First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. CT.
MacKenzie Gore will take the mound for Texas to make his 21st start in his first season with the Rangers.
Coming into play on Saturday, Gore is 5-8 with a 4.63 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, and 115 strikeouts in 105 innings pitched.
Gore's previous start against Astros
In his last start against the Houston Astros on the last day before the All-Star break, Gore went four innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while punching out four.
What’s even more impressive about that start is that Gore was pitching on just three days' rest as the Rangers needed someone to pitch in place of Jacob deGrom, who missed the start with a mild left glute strain.
On multiple occasions this season, Gore has offered to pitch on short rest as the Rangers navigate various injuries to their rotation.
However, with the All-Star break, Gore has had six days of rest coming into this start against the Braves.
Given the team suffered a 14-run loss on Friday, the Texas bullpen should be in good shape for Saturday, with their highest-leverage arms having not pitched since before the break.
Both Peyton Gray and All-Star closer Jacob Latz will be at full go with no restrictions as the Rangers look to even the series.
Rangers' hitters need to get it together
Texas hitters will look to have a bounce-back night against young Atlanta right-hander Owen Murphy, who will make his first Major League start.
In just four innings of work this season, Murphy is 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA, a 0.25 WHIP, and four strikeouts.
Murphy will obviously not be going super deep into the game, so the Rangers could also have to inflict some damage on a Braves bullpen that is among the best in baseball.
Entering play on Saturday, the Rangers still hold a 1.5-game lead in the American League West after the Seattle Mariners were shut out by the San Francisco Giants on Friday.
With a win on Saturday, the Rangers would guarantee that at least the same divisional lead margin would hold and would push back to two games above .500. A loss would see Texas fall back to .500 at 49-49
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