For the Texas Rangers, they said goodbye to the Arizona desert and hello to Globe Life Field.

The Rangers wrapped up their Cactus League play on Saturday, losing 5-2 to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The result led Texas to finish Cactus League action with a 16-12 record.

Austin Gomber took the loss for the Rangers. Texas fell behind 4-0 before scoring twice in the top of the eighth inning, but that was it as far as scoring was concerned.

On Sunday, the Rangers are taking a day off. Yet Rangers fans, get ready to head out to Globe Life Field on Monday. 

Texas will open a two-game exhibition series against the Kansas City Royals. First pitch on Monday is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET, while an afternoon contest on Tuesday at 2:05 p.m. ET follows that up.

After the Wednesday game ends, the Rangers board a flight to Philadelphia. They open the 2026 MLB season at Citizens Bank Park with a 4:15 p.m. ET game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Nathan Eovaldi will get the Opening Day start for the Rangers, while Cristopher Sánchez gets the nod for the Phillies. This marks the third straight Opening Day that Eovaldi has gotten the ball for the Rangers' franchise. Sánchez is getting his first career Opening Day start for the Phillies.

"Being able to be the first one to start the season, it's a huge honor for me. …," Eovaldi told Rangers beat reporter Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. "I take a lot of honor and pride in going out there and being able to represent the Rangers on Opening Day. It’s my responsibility to go out there and have a strong quality start and set the tone for the season."

In the 2025 MLB season for Texas, Eovaldi posted an 11-3 record with a 1.73 ERA in 22 starts. Texas manager Skip Schumaker will be very pleased if Eovaldi can repeat that effort in 2026.

Before totally leaving Spring Training chatter in the background, there might be a problem cropping up with designated hitter Joc Pederson. 

MLB.com's Landry mentioned Pederson's lack of hitting consistency. Pederson stunk in 2025, so he probably wanted to come into Spring Training and produce.

How did that work out? You decide: Pederson, at one point, was 5-for-29 with no extra-base hits, Landry reported. In 2025, Pederson suffered through a 0-for-41 slump. His slash line last season was .181/.285/.328 with nine home runs.

Rangers fans are going to cross their fingers that Pederson could find his hitting stroke again soon.

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