Rangers Face A’s in Crucial Rubber Match Tonight

WEST SACRAMENTO, California — The Texas Rangers are set to face the Oakland Athletics in the final game of their three-game series tonight, April 24, 2025. This rubber match will showcase Rangers’ Jacob deGrom against the A’s J.T. Ginn, with the first pitch scheduled for 9:05 p.m. Central Time.

The Rangers build anticipation as they are favored to win with odds at -145. The starting lineup for Texas includes Smith at shortstop, Langford in left field, Pederson as designated hitter, and Garcia in right field, among others. Notably, Leody Taveras will take the field in center.

This matchup comes on the heels of a disappointing outing from Rangers’ right-hander Kumar Rocker, who struggled in his last start against the A’s. Rocker allowed four runs in just 1 2/3 innings. He faced 13 batters and averaged 4.8 pitches per plate appearance, a significant increase compared to his previous average. This raised concerns for team management as they hope for improved performance from their pitchers, particularly Rocker.

“You throw that many pitches,” said manager Bruce Bochy, noting the effect of prolonged at-bats. “Now they’ve got a reference on you.” Rocker himself acknowledged areas for improvement, saying, “It’s things that I’m learning and it’s got to be better when it comes to in-game adjustments.”

The long relievers had to cover much of the game after Rocker’s departure, with Jacob Latz and Caleb Boushley providing 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Bochy reiterated the need for consistency from a starting pitcher, emphasizing the goal of going deeper into games.

Fans are hoping tonight’s game could mark a turnaround for the Rangers as they look to maintain their competitive edge in the ongoing MLB season.