Rangers, Royals open series eager to end June swoons

On Friday night, the Kansas City Royals and the defending World Series champions, the Texas Rangers, will clash in Arlington, Texas. Both teams have struggled this June, each posting 7-10 records. The Rangers, currently third in the AL West, are 8 1/2 games behind the Seattle Mariners after losing five of their last six games. Meanwhile, the Royals sit second in the AL Central, trailing the Cleveland Guardians by six games.

The series opener will feature Kansas City’s right-hander Brady Singer (4-4, 3.39 ERA) against Texas’ right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (3-3, 3.15 ERA). Singer seeks to rebound after two consecutive losses, including a recent defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers, while Eovaldi, with a history of success against Kansas City, aims to improve upon his last outing against the Mariners.

Both teams come into the series after breaking losing streaks: Texas ended a five-game skid with a win over the New York Mets, highlighted by a crucial home run from Leody Taveras, while Kansas City halted a three-game slide with a victory over the Oakland Athletics, sparked by Bobby Witt Jr.’s timely home run.

Previously meeting in early May with Texas winning two out of three games, these teams are now poised for another competitive showdown in Arlington.