The surging Texas Rangers will battle the struggling Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon in the finale of a three-game series in Arlington, Texas.
The White Sox will turn to newly acquired right-hander Aaron Civale (1-2, 4.91 ERA) for the start while Texas is expected to go with right-handed rookie Kumar Rocker (1-4, 8.87), who rejoined the team Saturday from Triple-A Round Rock.
Rocker has never faced the White Sox.
Texas won 5-4 in 11 innings on Saturday in a contest that saw a combined 13 pitchers in action. The Rangers, who used six, got a two-out single from Adolis Garcia to win their third straight game — their sixth in their past seven outings — and guarantee a third consecutive series victory.
Chicago, conversely, has dropped four straight contests after winning four of five.
The pitching-by-committee strategy worked well for Texas on Friday as seven Rangers’ pitchers scattered six hits in a 3-1 win.
Sunday initially was scheduled as a bullpen game to provide an extra day off for right-hander Tyler Mahle. Texas manager Bruce Bochy confirmed Saturday that Mahle’s shoulder was an issue in his most recent start, against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, and was part of the Rangers’ decision to move his next start back. He also could wind up on the injured list.
Texas also will be without outfielder Evan Carter until at least Tuesday after he injured his right wrist while making a diving catch in the fourth inning of the Friday game. He removed himself from the contest in the seventh.
“I wasn’t doing myself or the team any good taking staying in the game,” Carter said. “It didn’t feel the best. But I think it will be fine.”
Civale will take the mound for the first time for the White Sox after coming to the team via a trade with Milwaukee on Friday. He asked to be traded after the Brewers sent him to the bullpen, making way for their top prospect, right-hander Jacob Misiorowski. The White Sox acquired Civale for former starting first baseman Andrew Vaughn, whose struggles this season led him to a demotion to Triple-A Charlotte.
Civale has five starts this season and is 1-1 over his past two outings. His most recent appearance was Monday for the Brewers when he allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings at home against the Atlanta Braves while striking out five in a 7-1 loss.
“Civale is a guy that has been a consistent performer in this league for six years, and somebody that will slot right into the rotation. We’re excited to have him,” Chicago manager Will Venable said.
The 30-year-old Civale pitched for both the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee in 2024, amassing a career-high 161 combined innings while posting a 4.36 ERA with 149 strikeouts over 31 starts.
“We need some help, we have a lot of innings to cover here, and our young starters have been doing a great job,” Venable explained. “But they’re all kind of pushing their career highs in innings, and we’re going to have to be mindful of that.”
Civale is 2-2 with a 1.93 ERA in five career appearances against the Rangers. He’s allowed six runs and 18 hits over 28 innings in those five outings, walking five and striking out 28.
–Field Level Media
