The Texas Rangers and Cleveland Guardians meet this weekend in Arlington, Texas, in a pivotal three-game series that could influence the American League wild-card race. The matchup highlights Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi, who will pitch against Guardians right-hander Slade Cecconi in Friday night’s opener.
Current team struggles increase urgency for victory
The Rangers enter the series amid a rough patch, having lost 11 of their last 14 games on the road, finishing a dismal trip with a 6-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday. At 63-66, Texas sits in third place in the AL West, trailing division leader Houston by 7½ games and 5½ games behind in the wild-card standings.
Cleveland is also under pressure, having dropped five of six recent contests including a narrow 3-2 loss in 10 innings to Arizona. The Guardians slipped to third place in the AL Central, trailing the Detroit Tigers by 10½ games despite a strong stretch after the trade deadline when they won nine of 12 games.
Guardians manager stresses team focus despite setbacks
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt reflected on the team’s current struggles after the loss in Phoenix.
“I don’t look at the scoreboard for anybody else. I just know that we need to keep winning games. We need to get back on track,”
Vogt said. “We control our own destiny.”
Eovaldi’s standout season fuels Rangers’ hopes
Nathan Eovaldi has emerged as a key figure for the Rangers, boasting an impressive 11-3 record with an outstanding 1.76 ERA. He has won seven of his past eight starts and recently rebounded from his only no-decision since June by holding the Toronto Blue Jays to two solo home runs over seven innings in a 10-4 victory. His performance included six strikeouts and zero walks.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy praised Eovaldi’s approach, noting a refined pitching style.
“He was hitting his spots, wasn’t trying to power his way through them. He just did a great job of pitching.”
Eovaldi’s ERA is the lowest among pitchers with at least 120 innings pitched in 2024, with Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes a distant second at 2.16. Historically against Cleveland, Eovaldi is 4-2 with a 3.91 ERA across 10 appearances, including seven starts.
Rangers face lineup uncertainty with Semien’s injury
Texas second baseman Marcus Semien left Thursday’s game due to a left foot contusion, and his availability for Friday remains uncertain. The injury adds to the Rangers’ challenges as they attempt to regain momentum on home soil following a difficult stretch on the road.
Guardian starter Slade Cecconi looks to end slump
Slade Cecconi has struggled recently, suffering two consecutive losses and extending a winless streak to five games. His last start saw him allow eight runs (six earned) on 10 hits over less than five innings in a heavy 10-1 defeat at home against Atlanta. Despite the recent difficulties, Cecconi has maintained a 3.18 ERA in his two prior relief appearances against the Rangers, covering 5 2/3 innings without a decision.
Implications of the series for division and wild-card races
With both teams fighting to stay in wild-card contention and improve divisional standing, this series carries significant weight. The Rangers hope to break their losing streak behind Eovaldi’s arm, while the Guardians aim to halt their skid and restore confidence. The outcomes over these three games will shape the next steps for both clubs in the playoff chase as time runs short in the 2024 season.