Dane Dunning Shares Possible Texas Rangers Rotation for Final Series

Did the star of Wednesday night's 5-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels hint at the Texas Rangers rotation for the last series of the regular season?

After going seven shutout innings in the win that put the Rangers on the brink of a playoff spot, Dane Dunning referenced the series at the Seattle Mariners starting Thursday night.

“I’m super excited,” Dunning said, according to MLB.com. “This atmosphere is about to be so much fun, and we have three absolute studs coming into these types of games to pitch in [Jordan] Montgomery, [Nathan] Eovaldi and Jon Gray.”

Texas needs one win to lock down a postseason berth, while its magic number for clinching the American League West title is two.

The Rangers have only announced Montgomery (10-11, 3.25) as a starter for the next four games. The left-hander is on the mound for the first game opposite Seattle right-hander Logan Gilbert (13-7, 3.75) at T-Mobile Park.

Otherwise, Texas and Seattle both have “TBA” as starters for the last three games of the season. Since the Rangers have various clinching scenarios in play, it makes sense that their pitching plans are fluid.

The Mariners continue to fight for a playoff spot, with the Wild Card being the most-likely path. Seattle could also be eliminated before the series is done.

Dunning’s rundown of pitchers would mean the Rangers stay in turn. Montgomery, Eovaldi and Gray would be lined up in that order based on their normal rest. Dunning could just be assuming the rotation remains intact or that could be actual order and the Rangers are just not ready to make it public.

Sunday’s regular-season finale is Max Scherzer’s normal spot, which has been occupied by Cody Bradford for the last two starts. That could also be an opening for Martín Pérez. The Rangers could also elect for bullpen game. Obviously, much can change depending on playoff implications over the next few days.

Dunning (12-6) certainly did his job with his longest outing since mid-August. He also struck out seven and allowed just three hits in his longest scoreless start of the season.

“These are big games, but I mean, it’s what all of us here work and try for,” Dunning said. “Just want to be able to go out and get the team a win and that way we can get one closer to the division title. That's what we all work each and every day for, so it’s a good feeling.”

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