Vanessa: The Rangers went ten innings last night, walked it off on a Wyatt Langford double, and now they've got a chance to sweep the Angels tonight. And we're going to tell you exactly how they do it.
Nick: And we're going to look at a rotation that suddenly looks like a playoff rotation, even with all the injuries. This is Beatline, and I'm Nick.
Vanessa: And I'm Vanessa. Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, Texas Rangers edition. Coming up: the pitching probables for tonight, the hitters we're watching, and our bold prediction for the series finale.
Vanessa: Let's start with that walk-off last night. Wyatt Langford with the tying RBI double in the tenth, then scores the winner. That's the kind of win that can flip a season.
Nick: Exactly. And it was scoreless through nine, which shows you the kind of pitching we're seeing in this series. But now let's talk about tonight's matchup. The Angels are sending someone to the mound, and the Rangers have their own guy.
Vanessa: Who do we have going tonight? Give me the names.
Nick: The Rangers haven't officially announced a starter yet, but with deGrom having just pitched, and the rotation as banged up as it is, we're likely looking at a bullpen game or a spot start. That's a huge question mark.
Vanessa: A bullpen game? That sounds risky. But you know, with the offense we saw last night, maybe they just need to keep it close.
Nick: Right. And the Angels are 51-77, fourth in the AL West. They're not exactly a juggernaut. But they've got Zach Neto coming off a five-hit game, so you can't sleep on them.
Vanessa: Neto had five hits? That's a problem. But the Rangers are at home, they've got the momentum, and they're going for the sweep. Nick, what's the key to this game?
Nick: The key is getting through the first five innings without giving up a big inning. If the bullpen can hold it together, the offense should get to their bullpen late.
Vanessa: And that brings us to the hitters. We'll get into that after the break. Stick with us.
Vanessa: We're back. Let's talk about the guys at the plate who are going to decide this game. Wyatt Langford obviously, but who else should we be watching?
Nick: Corey Seager is always the guy. But I'm looking at Evan Carter and Joc Pederson. Carter's been a sparkplug at the top of the lineup, and Pederson gives you that lefty power threat.
Vanessa: Pederson's been a great addition. And what about the injuries? We've got a lot of names on the IL.
Nick: Yeah, it's a laundry list: Robert Garcia, Josh Jung, Nathan Eovaldi, Kyle Higashioka, Jack Leiter, Yusei Kikuchi, Shaun Anderson, Sebastian Rivero. That's a lot of talent in the trainer's room.
Vanessa: But they're still 64-65 and in second place. How are they doing it with all these injuries?
Nick: Depth. Guys like Nicky Lopez, Justin Foscue, and Cody Freeman have stepped up. And the pitching staff has been resilient. deGrom just reached 2,000 strikeouts in the second-fewest innings ever. That's a bright spot.
Vanessa: That deGrom milestone was incredible. We talked about it yesterday. But today is about the bullpen. Who's available tonight?
Nick: We've got guys like Tyler Alexander, Robby Ahlstrom, and Jakob Junis. They've been solid, but it's a lot to ask for a full game from them. The key is getting length from the opener.
Vanessa: So the bullpen is the big question mark. But if the offense can get to the Angels early, it takes the pressure off. What do you think, Nick?
Nick: I think they need to be patient at the plate. The Angels have a below-average pitching staff, so if they work counts and get into that bullpen, they'll have a chance.
Vanessa: Alright, so we've got the pitching question, the hitters, and the injuries. Now it's time for the keys to the game and our bold prediction. That's next.
Vanessa: We're back for the final segment. Nick, give me the keys to the game today.
Nick: Key number one: get out to an early lead. Don't let the Angels hang around. Key number two: win the late innings. That's where the Rangers have been clutch. And key number three: get a quality start from whoever takes the mound.
Vanessa: That's a tall order. But if they do that, they sweep. Now, you know we like to make a bold prediction. Yesterday we said the Rangers would take two of three, and Langford would homer. He didn't homer, but he did drive in the tying run and score the winner. So we're halfway there.
Nick: Right, we nailed the series prediction. Now for today: I'm going to say the Rangers win 4-2, and the bullpen throws four shutout innings. That's my bold take.
Vanessa: Four shutout innings from the bullpen? That's bold. I'll say they win 5-3, and Corey Seager hits a home run. He's due.
Nick: I like that. Seager's been quiet lately, so that would be a big lift.
Vanessa: Alright, that's our show. If you enjoyed this preview, subscribe, rate, review, and share it with a Rangers fan. And as always, go Rangers!