Rangers take road losing streak into matchup against the Guardians
Texas Rangers (80-79, third in the AL West) vs. Cleveland Guardians (86-73, first in the AL Central)
Cleveland; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Rangers: Jack Leiter (9-10, 3.92 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 138 strikeouts); Guardians: Slade Cecconi (7-6, 4.15 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 106 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Guardians -149, Rangers +124; over/under is 7 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Texas Rangers will aim to end their four-game road skid in a matchup against the Cleveland Guardians.
Cleveland has an 86-73 record overall and a 43-35 record in home games. The Guardians have gone 28-15 in games when they hit at least two home runs.
Texas is 32-46 in road games and 80-79 overall. Rangers pitchers have a collective 3.46 ERA, which leads the AL.
Friday's game is the fourth meeting between these teams this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jose Ramirez has 34 doubles, three triples, 30 home runs and 85 RBIs for the Guardians. Bo Naylor is 12 for 33 with three doubles, three home runs and 13 RBIs over the past 10 games.
Josh Smith has 23 doubles, two triples and 10 home runs while hitting .251 for the Rangers. Jake Burger is 5 for 34 with two home runs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Guardians: 8-2, .239 batting average, 2.00 ERA, outscored opponents by 27 runs
Rangers: 1-9, .191 batting average, 4.00 ERA, outscored by 20 runs
INJURIES: Guardians: David Fry: 10-Day IL (nose), Nolan Jones: 10-Day IL (oblique), Nic Enright: 15-Day IL (elbow), Lane Thomas: 10-Day IL (foot), Will Brennan: 60-Day IL (forearm), Andrew Walters: 60-Day IL (lat), Ben Lively: 60-Day IL (forearm), John Means: 60-Day IL (elbow), Sam Hentges: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
Rangers: Sam Haggerty: 60-Day IL (oblique), Wyatt Langford: 10-Day IL (oblique), Jon Gray: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Corey Seager: 10-Day IL (appendectomy), Evan Carter: 60-Day IL (wrist), Nathan Eovaldi: 15-Day IL (rotator cuff), Marcus Semien: 10-Day IL (foot), Cody Bradford: 60-Day IL (elbow), Josh Sborz: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
What’s Next: How the Willson Contreras Trade Impacts the Red Sox and Cardinals
Mets Trade 2-Time All-Star Jeff McNeil and Cash to Athletics
MLB Free Agency Rumors, Buzz: Yankees, Mets and Royals Eyeing OF Austin Hays
Way-Too-Early 2026 MLB Power Rankings: How Teams Stand Before Winter Meetings
Ranking the 10 best second basemen in MLB for 2025
10 fastest pitches in MLB History: Regular season and playoff records
What’s Next: How Will NPB Star Munetaka Murakami’s Power Translate to White Sox, MLB?
What are the 100 best athlete nicknames of all time?
2026 World Baseball Classic Odds: USA, Japan Top Board as Early Favorites
What’s Next: How the Willson Contreras Trade Impacts the Red Sox and Cardinals
Mets Trade 2-Time All-Star Jeff McNeil and Cash to Athletics
MLB Free Agency Rumors, Buzz: Yankees, Mets and Royals Eyeing OF Austin Hays
Way-Too-Early 2026 MLB Power Rankings: How Teams Stand Before Winter Meetings
Ranking the 10 best second basemen in MLB for 2025
10 fastest pitches in MLB History: Regular season and playoff records
What’s Next: How Will NPB Star Munetaka Murakami’s Power Translate to White Sox, MLB?
What are the 100 best athlete nicknames of all time?
2026 World Baseball Classic Odds: USA, Japan Top Board as Early Favorites
