As a high-stakes postseason race tightens, the Texas Rangers must navigate a depleted rotation and workload restrictions to counter Sonny Gray in a key series finale against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday.
The Texas Rangers entered their series against the Boston Red Sox without a confirmed starter for Thursday’s finale. Boston has already scheduled right-hander Sonny Gray for that matchup.
Texas opened the series Tuesday with Jacob deGrom against Red Sox left-hander Patrick Sandoval. Wednesday’s game will feature MacKenzie Gore against Boston rookie left-hander Jake Bennett.
Options to start on Thursday
The Rangers’ uncertainty for Thursday comes while they manage several pitching situations. Kumar Rocker worked four innings Saturday at Chase Field as Texas earned a 6-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
By the middle of August, Rocker had already completed 111 innings, the highest total of his MLB career. Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young previously said the organization could monitor Rocker’s workload.
Nathan Eovaldi entered after Rocker and pitched 2.2 innings, allowing a run on four hits with two strikeouts and no walks. Texas activated Eovaldi from the Injured List that day and shifted him into the bullpen.
Eovaldi had not appeared on the Rangers’ roster since Aug. 7 because of right posterior elbow inflammation.
Cal Quantrill then started Sunday’s series finale and helped Texas secure a 7-6 victory. Quantrill has delivered a solid season, going 9-5 with a 2.90 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 108.2 innings over 31 appearances (14 starts).
Jack Leiter is not currently an option. He has not pitched since Aug. 26, when right biceps soreness forced him to end a rehabilitation appearance with Round Rock early. Leiter remains on the 60-day Injured List with a right ankle issue.
The Rangers have a 74-76 record and sit one game behind the Houston Astros in the American League West. They are also 1.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the last American League Wild Card spot.
Gray will present a significant challenge regardless of whom Texas chooses to start. The 36-year-old three-time All-Star is 17-5 with a 2.76 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 156.2 innings across 27 starts this season. His 17 victories are tied for the MLB lead with Philadelphia Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez.
Texas and Boston previously met at Fenway Park from June 12 to 14. The Red Sox won two of the three games, while the Rangers claimed the finale 6-4.
A must-win game
Texas must determine how to cover Thursday without creating additional problems for its pitching staff. Rocker’s workload requires attention, Eovaldi has only recently returned from a right elbow issue, and Leiter remains unavailable.
Quantrill makes the most sense. However, the Rangers could structure the game around multiple pitchers rather than asking one arm to handle a traditional starter’s workload.
If Texas takes this approach, it would require careful bullpen management throughout the first two games of the series.
Their decision must account for both urgency and health. Texas cannot afford to concede a game while pursuing the Astros and Guardians, but forcing an unprepared or fatigued pitcher into the assignment could weaken the staff beyond Thursday.
The unresolved starter therefore represents more than a routine scheduling decision. It reflects the challenge of keeping the Rangers’ postseason pursuit alive while managing a rotation affected by workload concerns, injuries and changing roles.
