Inside The Rangers

Rangers Starting Lineup vs. Royals - LIVE In-Game Updates

Keep up with all the action of the Rangers' spring opener against the Royals at Surprise Stadium.

Chris Halicke

It's finally here. Baseball is back!

The Texas Rangers kick off their Cactus League schedule on Sunday afternoon against their Surprise neighbor Kansas City Royals. With limitations on broadcasts for spring training games, we will have all the info you need out of Surprise — before, after, and during the game. 

Texas Rangers (0-0) @ Kansas City Royals (0-0)

Sunday, February 28, 2021
1:05 PM MT (2:05 PM CT)
Surprise Stadium | Surprise, AZ

Probables:
TEX: LHP Wes Benjamin (0-0, -.-- ERA)
vs 
KC: RHP Ervin Santana (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Broadcast

Radio: 105.3 The Fan

***REMINDER***

Sunday's game between the Rangers and Royals will be six official innings. According to Major League Baseball's 2021 Operations Manual, games up to March 13 can be shortened if both managers agree. The Royals will play three intrasquad innings after the six official innings.

Texas Rangers Starting Lineup

  1. LF Willie Calhoun
  2. SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa
  3. RF Joey Gallo
  4. DH Khris Davis
  5. 2B Nick Solak
  6. 1B Ronald Guzmán
  7. 3B Brock Holt
  8. C Jonah Heim
  9. CF Eli White

Kansas City Royals Starting Lineup

  1. 2B Whit Merrifield
  2. LF Andrew Benintendi
  3. 1B Carlos Santana
  4. C Salvador Perez
  5. RF Jorge Soler
  6. DH Ryan O'Hearn
  7. 3B Hanser Alberto
  8. SS Nicky Lopez
  9. CF Edward Olivares

Texas Rangers Scheduled Pitchers

  • LHP Wes Benjamin: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 SO, 0 BB
  • RHP Nick Vincent: 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 SO, 1 BB, 1 HR
  • RHP Hunter Wood: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 SO, 0 BB, 1 HR
  • RHP Jason Bahr: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 SO, 0 BB
  • RHP Joe Gatto: 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 SO, 1 BB
  • RHP Drew Anderson

Chris Woodward on Rangers Lineup

It's only the spring opener, but there is a little something to the Rangers' starting lineup. 

Willie Calhoun is leading off on Sunday, which may give an early indication of where Woodward envisions Calhoun when he's a part of the starting nine.

"A couple years ago, we saw a Willie Calhoun that it didn't matter who's out there pitching them, he was able to adjust, adapt and hit," Woodward said. "I want that bat somewhere at the top, especially if he's doing well."

Calhoun is coming off a tough 2020 season where he battled a number of on- and off-the-field issues. His on-field performance was derailed by a broken jaw and strained hamstring, in addition to being at the center of many social justice conversations throughout the summer into the season.

Ronald Guzmán is also coming off a challenging 2020 season, but rebounded this winter as the MVP of the Dominican Winter League. The Rangers like what they are seeing from Guzmán early in camp. Now, it's about carrying it over into game action.

"He's in a good spot," Woodward said. "I think he's learned a lot last couple years, and to know what it takes to be productive every day. 

"I don't want [the young guys] to take a pitch off. I want them to challenge their mental muscle. I think Guzy's understanding and learning that. It's good to see."

Injury Report

  • David Dahl (right shoulder surgery): No restrictions at the plate. Progressing well in throwing program.
  • Demarcus Evans (right lat strain): Has yet to throw off a mound. Will not be ready for the start of the season, but the Rangers are taking it slow with him.
  • Joely Rodríguez (sprained ankle): Still not throwing off a mound. Any further delays could jeopardize his availability for Opening Day.
  • Brock Burke (2020 shoulder surgery): The Rangers are taking it slow with him. They like his progress so far, but have no urgency to rush him.
  • Sam Huff (grade two hamstring strain): Still rehabbing. Will get MRI in less than two weeks.
  • Luis Ortiz (inflamed peroneal tendon - ankle): Was originally scheduled to throw an inning in Sunday's game against the Royals. The Rangers scratched him Sunday morning.

LIVE In-Game Updates

It's almost that time...

2:05 CT: PLAY BALL!

2:07 CT: Willie Calhoun steps in the box and fouls off the first pitch.

2:11 CT: HOME RUN! Joey Gallo drives one deep to right-center field for a two-run homer after Isiah Kiner-Falefa reached on a walk. Rangers lead 2-0.

2:21 CT: Rangers starter Wes Benjamin gives up two hits with two outs, but gets Jorge Soler to pop out to end the first inning. Rangers lead 2-0.

2:25 CT: The Rangers are retired in order in the top of the second inning. Ronald Guzmán made good contact in the first pitch of his at-bat, but lined out to centerfielder Edward Olivares. Rangers lead 2-0.

2:29 CT: HOME RUN. Ryan O'Hearn hits a solo home run off Rangers reliever Nick Vincent in the bottom of the second inning. Rangers lead 2-1.

2:43 CT: The Rangers roll the second inning after the Royals load the bases with two outs. Rangers lead 2-1.

2:59 CT: Willie Calhoun hits a single and Kiner-Falefa draws another walk, but Gallo and Khris Davis can't drive them in. To the bottom of the third inning. Rangers leads 2-1.

3:05 CT: HOME RUN. Salvador Perez hits a solo homer off Rangers reliever Hunter Wood. Game tied 2-2.

3:29 CT: Rangers reliever Jason Bahr pitches a quick 1-2-3 bottom of the fourth inning. Game tied 2-2.

3:42 CT:

3:47 CT: Anderson Miller rips an RBI-single into center field for the Royals off Rangers reliever Joe Gatto. Royals lead 3-2.

3:52 CT: This is getting interesting...

3:56 CT: Regardless of who is leading, the bottom of the sixth will be played. The Rangers need six innings of pitching today. The Royals will be three additional intrasquad innings after the sixth inning is complete.

3:58 CT: Andy Ibáñez strikes out to end the top of the sixth. The Royals have clinched the win in Surprise today.

Thanks for joining Inside The Rangers today!

Chris Halicke covers the Texas Rangers for InsideTheRangers.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisHalicke.
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