Rangers Set Lineup, Key Matchups to Support Cal Quantrill vs. Angels

The Texas Rangers have set their lineup for the third game of their four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday.

Texas Rangers pitcher Cal Quantrill. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Just when Cal Quantrill thought he was going back to being a reliever, he's back in the starting rotation.

The Texas Rangers moved him into the Wednesday slot to start against the Los Angeles Angels two days after they moved right-hander Nathan Eovaldi to the 15-day injured list with an elbow issue.

Quantrill hasn't started a game since Aug. 3, and the intention was to move him back to the bullpen full time after Cody Bradford moved into the starting rotation last week.

But Eovaldi’s injury necessitated moving Quantrill back into the rotation. Until Eovaldi returns or until Jack Leiter returns from his ankle surgery, Quantrill appears to be firmly in the rotation.

That’s not a bad thing. As a starter Quantrill is 1-3 with a 3.34 ERA. He’s kept Texas in games in his seven starts. That’s all the Rangers asking for.

Texas (60-60) lost to the Angels on Tuesday. But the Rangers didn't lose any ground in the AL West race as the Houston Astros lost to the San Francisco Giants. The Rangers enter Wednesday's action still one-half game back of the division lead.

But Texas’ wild card lead shrunk after the Detroit Tigers won on Tuesday. the Rangers are now just a half game ahead of the Tigers for the final wild card berth. Both races are likely to remain tight until the final week of the season.

Rangers Lineup for Aug. 12, 2026

Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

1. DH Joc Pederson (L)
2. RF Brandon Nimmo (L)
3. SS Corey Seager (L)
4. 3B Ezequiel Duran
5. LF Jarred Kelenic (L)
6. 1B Jake Burger
7. CF Evan Carter (L)
8. C Elias Diaz
9. 2B Nicky Lopez

Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels

Where: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, Calif.

Series Schedule, TV, Radio

Wednesday: 9:10 p.m. — TV: Rangers: ESPN; Angels: ESPN

Radio: Rangers: KRLD 1080, KFLC 1270; Angels: KLAA 830, Angels ES

Starting Pitchers

Wednesday: Texas RHP Cal Quantrill (4-4, 3.56) vs. Angels RHP George Klassen (0-1, 7.27)

Three Rangers Matchups to Watch

Texas Rangers right fielder Brandon Nimmo. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Brandon Nimmo: No batter on the Rangers’ roster has faced Klassen. But Nimmo has been on a heater in August. He’s slashing .432/.488/.703 with three home runs and eight RBI in 10 games. That’s the kind of production the Rangers need from their right fielder down the stretch.  

Nicky Lopez: The lefty is going to continue to get at-bats against right-handed pitching, but the pace has cooled a bit. His numbers with the Rangers look great — a slash of .279/.319/.324 with a home run and 20 RBI. But he’s slashing only .125/.200/.175 in his last 15 games. Cameron Cauley or Justin Foscue could start stealing at-bats.

Joc Pederson: The left-handed DH hit another leadoff home run on Tuesday night, and he’s been the most prolific leadoff man in the AL with seven leadoff home runs. Pederson now has 22 home runs and 45 RBI and is on pace to return to 30 home runs for the first time since the 2019 season.