The Texas Rangers have had four days to sit on their slim lead in the American League West. Now is the time to extend it.
The Rangers (49-47) begin their post-All-Star break schedule on Friday with a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. The series is a battle of teams that lead their division. The Braves (55-40) have a 2.5 game lead in the National League East.
Texas has a 1.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the division, along with a three-game lead over the Houston Astros. With the Athletics nearly 10 games back, the division race is down to three teams, with the Rangers holding a slight head start.
The Rangers have a few more weeks to improve their position in the division to be buyers at the trade deadline, which his coming up on Aug. 3. The question is just how much Texas leadership, led by president of baseball operations Chris Young, will be able to push to add talent for a postseason push.
Here is a breakdown of the series, including how to watch, the starting pitchers, Rangers injuries and more.
Texas Rangers at Atlanta Braves
Where:Truist Park, Atlanta, Ga.
Series Schedule, TV, Radio
Friday:6:15 p.m. — TV: Rangers:CW33, can be streamed on BZZR;Braves:BravesVision
Saturday:3:10 p.m. — TV: Rangers:Rangers Sports Network, can be streamed on BZZR;Braves:BravesVision
Sunday:12:35 p.m. — TV: Rangers:Rangers Sports Network, can be streamed on BZZR;Braves:BravesVision
Radio: Rangers:KRLD 1080, KFLC 1270; Braves: 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan, Los Bravos
Starting Pitchers
Friday: Texas RHP Cal Quantrill (3-1, 3.11) vs. Braves LHP Chris Sale (9-6, 2.20)
Saturday: TexasLHP MacKenzie Gore (5-8, 4.63) vs. Braves RHP Owen Murphy (0-1, 2.25)
Sunday: TexasTBA vs. Braves RHP Grant Holmes (5-4, 3.61)
Rangers Injuries
10-Day Injured List:C Danny Jansen (right forearm strain), UTIL Cody Freeman (herniated disc in neck), SS Corey Seager (lower back discomfort).
15-Day Injured List:RHP Jakob Junis (left hip impingement), LHP Jalen Beeks (flexor tendon surgery), RHP Jack Leiter (right ankle posterior impingement), RHP Chris Martin (right shoulder impingement).
60-Day Injured List:LHP Jordan Montgomery (Tommy John surgery recovery), LHP Cody Bradford (left UCL surgery), RHP Carter Baumler (right intercostal strain), LHP Robert Garcia (left shoulder inflammation), OF Michael Helman (multiple fractures on right hand).
Remaining July Series:vs. Chicago White Sox, July 20-22; vs. Seattle, July 24-27; at Tampa Bay, July 28-30; at Houston, July 31-Aug. 2
Matthew Postins is an award-winning sports journalist who covers Major League Baseball for OnSI. He also covers the Big 12 Conference for Heartland College Sports.
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