Texas Rangers Top Starter Gets Orioles Rookie for ALDS Game 2

The Texas Rangers seek a 2-0 ALDS lead with Jordan Montgomery starting Game 2 opposite Baltimore Orioles rookie Grayson Rodriguez.

The Texas Rangers will start left-hander Jordan Montgomery in Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday at Camden Yards.

The Orioles will counter with Grayson Rodriguez, a rookie who made his MLB debut in April against the Rangers.

The Rangers defeated the Orioles 3-2 in Game 1 on Saturday.

Montgomery (1-0, 0.00) is pitching on normal rest after he won Game 1 of the Wild Card round Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, throwing seven innings without allowing a run and striking out five. He gave up six hits.

Scherzer Nearly Ready, Remains ALDS Option

Montgomery has been the Rangers’ most effective starter since be acquired before the trade deadline from the St. Louis Cardinals.

He was 10-11 with a 3.70 ERA in the regular season and went at least six innings in each of his final four regular-season games, including seven innings on three occasions. He’s benefited from simplifying his approach.

“I think really just going out there and once I'm out there, stop thinking and just being kind of in a competitive mode has really helped me,” Montgomery said. “I used to kind of be overthinking it, over analyzing every pitch, trying to make sure my mechanics are perfect, rather than just kind of existing out there and competing.”

Rodriguez (7-4, 4.35) is making his postseason debut and is from Nacogdoches, Texas. He was called up in early April to make his MLB debut against Texas on April 5, where he threw five innings and gave up four hits and two earned runs, while striking out five and walking one. He faced the Rangers again on May 26, where he took the loss after giving up six hits and nine runs in 3 1/3 innings.

“You know, that feels like it was a year ago, honestly,” Rodriguez said. “But, you know, just kind of learning how to be a pitcher in the big leagues, how to go about each and every day, I think is the big thing.”

He won two of his final three regular-season starts and was 4-1 with a 2.20 ERA in his final seven regular-season starts, with 43 strikeouts and 10 walks in 41 innings. So he’s hit his stride at the right time.

Rangers-Orioles ALDS Schedule, Results

(Best-of-5 series, all times central)

Game 1: Rangers 3, Orioles 2 (Rangers lead series, 1-0)

Game 2: Texas at Baltimore, Sunday, 3:07 p.m., FS1

Game 3: Baltimore at Texas, Tuesday, 7:03 p.m., Fox

Game 4: Baltimore at Texas, Wednesday, 6:07 p.m., FS1*

Game 5: Texas at Baltimore, 7:03 p.m., Friday, FS1*

*-if necessary

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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