Three Critical Matchups as Rangers Set Lineup for Revenge Against Angels

The Texas Rangers have set their lineup for the first game of their three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager. Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

For the Texas Rangers, there are two paths to the postseason. But they need to exorcise a demon first.

The Rangers (63-65) will host the Los Angeles Angels (51-77) on Friday in the first game of a three-game series. It’s a chance for revenge for Texas. Last week, the Rangers went on a seven-game road trip and spent four games in Anaheim, where they lost three out of four to the Angels. Those losses helped erase the Rangers’ slim lead in the AL wild card race.

Texas returned home and won two out of three from the Washington Nationals and hope to do the same, at minimum, with the Angels. That would help their two playoff paths keep moving forward.

Path one is to win the AL West Division. The Rangers are one game back of the Houston Astros (64-64). Path two is the final AL wild card berth, where Texas is tied with the Minnesota Twins for the final spot.

Rangers Lineup for Aug. 21, 2026

Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford. Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

2B Justin Foscue

SS Corey Seager (L)

DH Wyatt Langford

RF Brandon Nimmo (L)

LF Ezequiel Duran

1B Jake Burger

3B Cody Freeman

C Elias Diaz

CF Evan Carter (L)

Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers

Where: Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas

Series Schedule, TV, Radio

Friday: 7:15 p.m. — TV: Rangers: Apple TV; Angels: Apple TV; Radio: Rangers: KRLD 1080, KFLC 1270; Angels: KLAA 830

Starting Pitchers

Friday: Texas LHP MacKenzie Gore (7-9, 4.45) vs. Angels LHP Reid Detmers (4-8, 3.78)

Three Rangers Matchups That Matter

Texas Rangers right fielder Brandon Nimmo. Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Brandon Nimmo: Here’s the hitter that has the right track record against Detmers, who despite his record has had a fine season. Nimmo is batting .429 against him in seven at-bats with one home run and one RBI. His average in the last seven games is down to .146 but this could be a chance for him to bounce back.

Corey Seager: He has plenty of experience against Detmers but a pedestrian track record — a .217 batting average with a home run and an RBI in 23 career at-bats. But that may collide with the fac that the shortstop has gotten red hot in the past seven games. He’s slashing .458/.519/.833 with two home runs and three RBI, including a home run on Thursday.

Jarred Kelenic: The Rangers went with Evan Carter against a lefty on Thursday. Would they use Kelenic as a starter or as a pinch-hitter at some point on Friday? The numbers say they should. Kelenic is batting .500 in four at-bats against Detmers, with an RBI. It’s all about finding the right matchups these days.