The Texas Rangers have the chance to sweep the Boston Red Sox in a Thursday night showdown at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
You don’t see a much bigger version of regular-season baseball than what the Texas Rangers are playing right now.
So far, on this massive nine-game homestand, Texas has risen to the moment, taking the first two games against a solid Boston Red Sox team.
On Tuesday, the Rangers used a four-run second and a strong night from their bullpen to claim a 4-2 victory. Wednesday, it was Nathan Eovaldi who pitched four scoreless innings in relief to help lead Texas to a 7-3 win.
Now, the Rangers will have the opportunity to go for a sweep on Thursday night as they do battle with Boston for the last time this season.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with parking lots slated to open at 4:30 p.m., followed by ballpark gates at 5 p.m.
If you’re planning on heading out to Globe Life Field for this one, you’ll want to do so early, as the first 10,000 fans in the gates will receive a Nolan Ryan Bloody Lip bobblehead presented by Nolan Ryan Beef.
Once the action on the field gets underway, the Rangers will be starting an opener as DFW native Tyler Alexander will make his 69th appearance of the year. This will mark the fifth time in which Alexander has served as an opener.
Coming into play, Alexander is 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts in 66.2 innings during his first season with his hometown team.
Alexander last pitched on Monday when he fired a 1-2-3 seventh inning in the Rangers' series-opening victory.
Following Alexander’s outing, it will be Cody Bradford who will be the bulk pitcher of the night for Texas.
Bradford is 0-5 with a 4.72 ERA, a 1.57 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts in 34.1 innings throughout his return to the mound this season.
On the other side of the ball, Rangers hitters will have to deal with likely American League Cy Young finalist Sonny Gray.
In 27 starts this season, Gray has an AL-leading 17 wins compared to just five losses with a 2.76 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, and 140 strikeouts in 156.2 innings of work.
Entering play on Thursday, the Rangers are tied for first place in the AL West despite their 76-76 record. They still remain a game back in the Wild Card race. With a win, Texas would be back above .500 at 77-76.
