Neither the Athletics nor Rangers entered 2026 as favorites to win the American League West, yet here they are, set to battle for divisional supremacy.
Fresh off a statement series victory over the reigning AL West champion Mariners in Seattle, the A’s (13-12) now head to Texas to open up a three-game set against the Rangers (12-12) on Friday at Globe Life Field – with only a half-game separating the two teams in the standings.
The season is less than a month old. A lot can and most likely will change from now until the end of September. Still, these intradivision matchups, no matter what time of year it is, are always important, and both these teams are fully aware of that.
"I think [divisional games] matter definitely,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “I don't think you realize how much these early ones matter until, like, August and September. I don't want that to get lost. And they're not. This division is going to be really tight all the way to the end. Every team has gotten better or is really good still."
“These games are always going to mean more,” said A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson. “We’re going to go in there and do all we can to take two of three, if not three of three.”
This series will mark round two between the Athletics and Rangers, as the AL West foes split a four-game set last week at Sutter Health Park.
Here is all you need to know about this weekend’s matchup.
The schedule
Friday: 5:05 p.m. PT / 7:05 p.m. CT
Watch: NBCSCA, CW33
Probables: RHP Luis Severino (0-2, 6.20 ERA) vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi (2-3, 5.06 ERA)
Severino has had a rough start to his campaign, which includes an outing against these Rangers on April 13 in Sacramento that saw him get lit up, allowing four runs in six innings. Walks have been his main issue, with 20 free passes in 24 2/3 innings pitched.
Eovaldi has pitched much better after a shaky first two starts to his season, tossing seven shutout innings against the A’s last week in an 8-1 Rangers win. The 36-year-old right-hander has tormented the A’s throughout his career, carrying a 2.54 ERA in 15 starts.
Saturday: 4:05 p.m. PT / 6:05 p.m. CT
Watch: NBCSCA, Rangers Sports Network
Probables: LHP Jeffrey Springs (3-1, 3.34 ERA) vs. LHP MacKenzie Gore (2-2, 4.15 ERA)
Springs is looking to bounce back after a poor outing against the White Sox his last time out, which saw his ERA jump from 1.46 to 3.34 after surrendering seven runs in five innings. Prior to that clunker, he led the A’s to a 2-1 victory over Texas as he held the Rangers to one run over 6 1/3 innings.
The A’s got to Gore just enough last week by chasing him after 4 2/3 innings and scoring a pair of runs off him in a 2-1 win. Following that outing, Gore was tagged by the Mariners for five runs on seven hits – including three home runs – in five innings.
Sunday: 11:35 p.m. PT / 1:35 p.m. CT
Watch: NBCSCA, Rangers Sports Network
Probables: RHP J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.74 ERA) vs. RHP Kumar Rocker (1-1, 3.48 ERA)
Ginn and Rocker matched up against each other last Wednesday. Both pitched solidly, though Ginn came out on top by limiting Texas to two runs on two hits over 5 1/3 innings in a 6-5 A’s victory.
Who’s hot and who’s not?
• Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz is looking more like his 2025 AL Rookie of the Year self with three home runs over his past five games.
• Wilson is batting .351 (13-for-37) over his last eight games, and he leads all Major League hitters with 12 multi-hit games so far this season.
• A's catcher Shea Langeliers has reached base safely in 13 of his last 14 games, and he always seems to perform well when playing in his home state of Texas, batting .299 with a 1.014 OPS and eight home runs in 22 career games at Globe Life Field.
• Rangers third baseman Josh Jung has had a scorching month of April, entering Thursday slashing .390/.448/.678 with three homers, eight doubles and 11 RBIs over his last 17 games.