The Texas Rangers open a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night knowing time is running out. With 15 games left and a 72-75 record, this is one of their last chances to make any meaningful move in the standings.
MacKenzie Gore is scheduled to start for the Rangers against Merrill Kelly at 8:40 p.m., in a matchup that gives Texas a chance to reset after a rough stretch on the road. The Rangers have been an average team for much of the season, but the problem has been consistency, not simply talent.
Why this series matters
After the All-Star break, the Rangers did not win a road series, and Thursday brought another missed opportunity when they failed to beat the Mariners and carry momentum into Arizona. That leaves them in a familiar position: close enough to keep hope alive, but still needing a run of wins they have not been able to find.
The Rangers have not strung together enough victories to make a real dent in the chase for the Astros or the final wild card spot. They are three games back in one direction, two games back in another, but the larger issue is that the results have not been strong enough for long enough.
Gore gets the ball as Texas searches for a spark
The decision to start MacKenzie Gore gives the Rangers a clear chance to attack this game with purpose. In a season that has been defined by mixed stretches and too many missed chances, Texas needs a starter who can steady things early and keep the game manageable.
For the Diamondbacks, Merrill Kelly provides a tough test. For the Rangers, the task is simpler to say than to do: win now, and keep the season from slipping away before the final week even arrives.
That is the reality facing Texas in Arizona. A good start on Friday would not solve everything, but it would at least keep the Rangers in the conversation for a little longer.
