Rangers Looking to Bounce Back in Game Three Against Rays

After just falling short of completing a five-run comeback on Friday night, the Texas Rangers find their series with the Tampa Bay Rays squared at one game a side.

On Saturday, the Rangers will have a chance to once again gain a series lead over the Rays as they do battle for a third time at Globe Life Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m., one hour earlier than the usual 7:05 p.m. start time on weekday night games. Parking lots at the ballpark will open at 3:30 p.m., followed by stadium gates at 4 p.m.

Just after the gates open, Texas baseball Hall of Famer Tom Grieve will sign autographs for the first 225 fans in line at the New Era Alumni Alley stand located on the Upper Concourse behind Section 223, beginning at 4:15 p.m.

In honor of OpTic Gaming Night, Fans who purchase a theme night ticket to Saturday night's game through the Rangers' official website will receive a co-branded OpTic Gaming-Texas Rangers jersey. Theme night items will be available for pickup at the Northwest Entrance.

OpTic Gaming Content Creator and Former Halo World Champion Nick ‘Maniac’ Kershner will be on hand to throw out the game’s first pitch. Also throwing out a first pitch will be Yellowstone and Landman actor James Jordan.

Those not planning on heading out to the Globe can catch all the action on Rangers Sports Network and on 105.3 The Fan on the radio side of things.

Once the action on the field gets underway, Texas will no doubt feel good about who they have on the mound, as Jacob deGrom will toe the rubber to make his 27th start of the season.

deGrom comes into play with a 10-9 record, a 4.00 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and 167 strikeouts in 137.1 innings this season.

In his last start against the Athletics, deGrom turned in his best performance this season, going seven shutout innings, allowing just one run with zero walks and eight strikeouts.

Saturday night will mark the first time deGrom has faced the Rays this season, as he did not pitch when the Rangers visited Tropicana Field earlier this year.

On the other side of the ball, Texas hitters will face Tampa Bay star pitcher Drew Rasmussen.

Coming into play, Rasmussen is 14-5 with a 2.95 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP, and 149 strikeouts in 146.1 innings.

Like deGrom, Rasmussen also did not pitch when the Rangers and Rays met earlier this season.

With a win, Texas would improve to 71-72 on the season. Entering play, the Rangers are just three games back of first place in the American League West and just two games out of the final AL Wild Card.