Three Critical Rangers Matchups Against White Sox Starter Jose Urqiudy

The Texas Rangers will be re-introduced to José Urquidy on Monday night.

The former Houston Astros starter, who the Rangers used to see on a regular basis, will take the mound for the White Sox (68-62) as they host Texas (65-66) at Rate Field, with both teams chasing playoff berths.

Texas is tied for the lead in the AL West with the Houston Astros, though the Astros have the tiebreaker for the division. But there is drama as Houston parted ways with general manager Dana Brown on Monday, adding some drama to the Astros’ upcoming road trip to New York City to face the Yankees and Mets this week.

The Rangers are also tied for the final AL wild card berth with the Cleveland Guardians, a team they won the season series against, 4-2. That’s a valuable tiebreaker if Texas needs it. But the race for that last berth is crowded. Five teams are within 3.5 games of the Guardians and the Rangers.

It’s a three-game set for the Rangers in Chicago. A series win on the road has been elusive for Texas. It hasn’t won a road series since late June over the Guardians.

Rangers Lineup for Aug. 24, 2026

Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford follows through on his swing during a game. — Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford. Credit: Jim Cowsert-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

C Elias Diaz

2B Cody Freeman

Texas Rangers at Chicago White Sox

Where: Rate Field, Chicago

Series Schedule, TV, Radio

Monday: 6:40 p.m. — TV: Rangers: Rangers Sports Network, can be streamed on BZZR; White Sox: Chicago Sports Network; Radio: Rangers: KRLD 1080, KFLC 1270; White Sox: ESPN Chicago WMVP 1000 AM, 107.9 La Ley

Monday: Texas RHP Kumar Rocker (4-10, 4.46) vs. White Sox RHP José Urquidy (2-1, 5.06)

Three Rangers Matchups That Matter

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager throws the baseball to first base during a game. — Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager. Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Corey Seager: He now has at least two hits in six of his last seven games and is slashing .444/.483/.630 with two home runs and three RBI in his last seven games. That’s pushed his season slash to .224/.321/.413. Now the bad part for Urquidy — Seager has hit him well, especially during Urquidy’s time with the Astros. Seager is batting .333 in nine at-bats with a home run and two RBI.

Evan Carter: The center fielder has never faced Urquidy but with the starter being a right-hander, Carter is nearly certain to be in the lineup. He’s slashing .211/.211/.316 in his last seven games. The Rangers are giving him more at-bats against left-handers of late. But he’ll probably start two games this series based on who the White Sox are starting. Texas needs his defense in center field.

Joc Pederson: This is when the Rangers would use Pederson at DH and put him at leadoff. The question is should the Rangers use him? He doesn’t have a hit in his last seven games, spanning 14 at-bats. He’s batting .222 in his last 30 games. This feels like a slump and with Logan O’Hoppe now on the roster, it’s possible Texas could go that way in the short term to let Pederson work things out.

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