Texas Rangers Name Two of Three Pitching Starters for Guardians Series

The Texas Rangers know who they will start in the first two games of their series at the Cleveland Guardians, which starts on Friday.

The Texas Rangers have not set their pitching probable for Sunday’s finale at the Cleveland Guardians, but will remain on time for the first two games of the series, which starts Friday.

Sunday’s rotation spot is open due to the injury to Max Scherzer, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday after suffering a strained right teres Tuesday.

Friday night's 6:10 p.m. CT opener will pit Rangers right-hander Jon Gray (8-7, 3.96) opposite right-hander Lucas Giolito (7-13, 4.89).

Dane Dunning is set to start the middle game of the Rangers-Guardians series / © Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Gray last started against Oakland on Sunday and only went 2 2/3 innings against the Athletics in a no-decision. He gave up four hits and three earned runs, while striking out three and walking two. In his last seven starts, he is 2-2 with a 4.86 ERA, with 42 strikeouts and 14 walks in his last 37 innings pitched.

Giolito made his last start on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels, who waived him last month after acquiring him at the trade deadline. He took a loss, but went seven innings. He gave up four hits and four earned runs, while striking out nine and walking none. In his last five starts, he is 1-4 with a 7.24 ERA with 29 strikeouts and 14 walks in his last 27 1/3 innings.

Right-hander Dane Dunning (10-6, 3.91) will take the mound Saturday for the Rangers, with right-hander Tanner Bibee (10-4, 3.03) going for Cleveland.

Dunning last pitched on Monday against Toronto, his first start since Aug. 30 against the New York Mets. He claimed the victory, going six innings and giving up six hits and three earned runs. He also struck out seven and walked three. He is 1-2 with a 6.27 ERA in his last seven games, with 43 strikeouts and 17 walks in his last 37.1 innings.

Bibee, a rookie, lost his last start to the Angels on Sunday, but he was sharp in seven innings. He gave up two hits and two earned runs, struck out eight and walked none. In his last seven starts, he is 3-2 with a 2.79 ERA, with 42 strikeouts and 10 walks in his last 42 innings. He’s averaged seven innings per start.

While the Rangers don’t have their starter for Sunday designated, it will likely come from a group of pitchers that includes Andrew Heaney, Martin Perez and Cody Bradford.

The Guardians are slated to start right-hander Gavin Williams (2-5, 3.43).

Williams took a no-decision in his last start against San Francisco on Monday. He threw six innings, giving up five hits and three earned runs. He struck out two and walked four. He is 1-2 with a 3.51 ERA in his last seven starts, with 37 strikeouts and 13 walks in his last 33 1/3 innings.

After Cleveland, the Rangers return home for their final homestand which begins with a series against the Boston Red Sox on Monday.

---

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

Catch up with Inside the Rangers on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.