Texas Rangers Tab Rookie to Take Max Scherzer Turn in Rotation, Snap Skid

Cody Bradford is making his seventh start of the season Sunday, as the Texas Rangers hope to avoid getting swept by Cleveland Guardians.

The Texas Rangers turned to rookie Cody Bradford to start Sunday’s series finale at the Cleveland Guardians.

The left-hander, 4-1 with a 3.80 ERA, is taking the turn of injured ace Max Scherzer in the rotation.

The Rangers (82-66) are hoping to snap a two-game losing streak, as well as keep pace in the American League West and Wild Card race. Cleveland is looking to finish the series sweep.

Bradford, 25, has 17 total appearances in his first MLB season for Texas, making six starts and 11 relief outings. He is 1-1 with a 4.73 ERA as a starter, while 3-0, 2.61 ERA as a reliever.

Bradford has pitched exclusively in relief since he was being recalled Sept. 1 when the roster expanded to 28 players. In five relief outings this month, he has totaled 7 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts, one walk and a .125/.154/.208/.362 opponent slash line.

Bradford last pitched Thursday at the Toronto Blue Jays, earning win in relief of starter Nathan Eovaldi in the 9-2 victory that completed the four-game sweep. He went 2 2/3 innings and didn’t allow a run.

Bradford was optioned back to Triple-A Round Rock on Aug. 1 after trade deadline acquisitions of Max and Jordan Montgomery. Bradford has had four stints with Texas this season. He went 9-2 with a 3.63 ERA in 14 starts for Round Rock.

The Rangers return home after Sunday’s game to start a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Montgomery (9-11, 3.47) is scheduled to go opposite Boston right-hander Kutter Crawford (6-7, 4.26) in the opener at Globe Life Field.

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