Rangers Set Pitching Probables for Critical Series with Chicago White Sox

The Texas Rangers head to Chicago to face the White Sox on Monday with a new title — AL West co-leaders.

The Rangers (65-66) are coming off a 4-2 homestand against the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Angels. With the Houston Astros losing to the Athletics on Sunday, they fell one game below .500 and are now tied with the Rangers in the division. Houston has the tiebreaker.

Texas is also tied for the lead for the final AL wild card berth with the Cleveland Guardians. Every game is a playoff game from here. The trip to Chicago and then Milwaukee takes the Rangers into the teeth of playoff contenders. Here is how they’ve arranged their rotation for the first leg of the trip.

The Rangers-White Sox Rotation

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Kumar Rocker throws a baseball to a hitter during a game. — Texas Rangers starting pitcher Kumar Rocker. Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The White Sox have not set their starter for Monday’s game yet. But here is how the series lines up for the Rangers:

Monday, 6:40 p.m.: Texas RHP Kumar Rocker (4-10, 4.46) vs. White Sox TBA

Tuesday, 6:40 p.m.: Texas RHP Jacob deGrom (9-8, 3.77) vs. White Sox LHP Anthony Kay (9-6, 3.96)

Wednesday, 6:40 p.m.: Texas LHP MacKenzie Gore (7-9, 4.26) vs. White Sox RHP Sean Burke (7-6, 3.27)

All games will be broadcast on Rangers Sports Network and via radio on 105.3 The Fan, KFLC 1270-AM and the Rangers radio network.

One thing about the rotation sticks out and that’s no Nathan Eovaldi. The right-hander has been on the injured list since Aug. 10 with right posterior elbow inflammation. He’s eligible to be activated on Monday and Texas has made little mention about his status of late. It’s clear he won’t be ready for this series.

Texas gets an off day on Thursday before a weekend series at Milwaukee. The longer he goes without coming back, the more likely it is he’ll have to do a rehab assignment — or build up during a playoff race as he did in 2023.

Rocker has been a better pitcher on the road this season. He has a 3.97 ERA away from home and a 4.76 ERA at Globe Life Field. But he’s 2-3 with a 5.65 ERA in his last seven starts. He hasn’t won a game since July 27.

The matchup between deGrom and Kay on Tuesday sets up as the best of the series. deGrom passed 2,000 career strikeouts in his last start and claimed the win as he allowed one hit and struck out 10 in six innings.

Gore took a no-decision in his last outing but only gave up two hits in six innings. He is 2-1 with a 3.32 ERA in his last seven starts.

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