Three Critical Matchups as Cody Bradford, Rangers Seek Series Win Over Angels

The Texas Rangers had to work overtime to beat the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, but it was a hard-earned win for their playoff hopes.

The Rangers beat the Angels, 2-1, in 10 innings in a contest where the Rangers outslugged the Angels but couldn't get a run across until the 10th.

While that was going on, the Houston Astros (65-64) won their game, allowing them to maintain their one game lead over the Rangers (64-65) in the AL West race.

But in the AL wild card race, the Rangers would be in the postseason if the playoffs started on Saturday. Their win, combined with a loss by the Minnesota Twins, gives Texas a one-game edge over both the Twins and the Cleveland Guardians for the final spot.

The race is far from over. Six teams are in pursuit of the Rangers and are within three games, including the Seattle Mariners.

The Rangers can claim a series victory with a win over the Angels on Saturday. left-hander Cody Bradford will start the game, and Texas has set right-hander Cal Quantrill as their probable starter for Sunday.

Rangers Lineup for Aug. 22, 2026

Texas Rangers shortstop Ezequiel Duran puts his hands in the air as he celebrates a hit. — Texas Rangers shortstop Ezequiel Duran. Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

DH Joc Pederson (L)

SS Corey Seager (L)

LF Wyatt Langford

RF Brandon Nimmo (L)

3B Ezequiel Duran

CF Evan Carter (L)

1B Jake Burger

2B Cody Freeman

C Danny Jansen

Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers

Where: Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas

Saturday: 6:05 p.m. — TV: Rangers: Rangers Sports Network, can be streamed on BZZR; Angels: ABTV; Radio: Rangers: KRLD 1080, KFLC 1270; Angels: KLAA 830

Starting Pitchers

Saturday: Texas LHP Cody Bradford (0-1, 2.93) vs. Angels RHP Ryan Johnson (2-7, 6.41)

Three Rangers Matchups That Matter

Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson walks back to the dugout. — Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson. Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Joc Pederson: With a right-hander back on the mound for the Angels, the Rangers can get Pederson back in their starting lineup. The problem is that Peterson he does not have a hit in his last seven games, which encompasses 15 at-bats. Go back to his last 15 games and he's batting .118. Is this a slump? It could be. Johnson could be the perfect elixir. Pederson has one at bat against Johnson lifetime and that was a home run.

Ezequiel Duran: It might be time to start talking about Duran as the Rangers player of the year. The media will vote on that after the season, but the way he's played all year he's in the running. He went 4-for-5 on Friday against the Angels, set off the final sequence that led to a 2-1 win and he's batting .346 in his last seven games. No one in the lineup is hotter than him.

Corey Seager: It's taken way too long to get to this point, but the Corey Seager that the Rangers are paying for has arrived. He has at least two hits in each of his last five games and is batting .400 in his last seven games. He has a hit in three at-bats lifetime against Johnson. And his red-hot August has perked up his season batting average to .221. As the Rangers enter the stretch, Seager’s playing his best baseball.

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