Baltimore @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 15, 2018 ) Texas 5, Baltimore 6

The Texas Rangers have stumbled at home throughout the season, a trend that continued coming out of the All-Star break when they dropped six of seven at Globe Life Park. The Rangers followed that up by winning four of five on the road, including a sweep of Houston, and return home to open a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night.

The Orioles own the worst record in the majors and stripped down their roster with a string of moves leading up to the trade deadline, but they have scored 47 runs while winning four of their last five. "It shows that we kind of turned the page a little bit since the All-Star break," said left fielder Trey Mancini, who homered among three hits in Wednesday's 7-5 win at Yankee Stadium. "I just noticed a difference in energy, and we all are starting to hit and play as a team a lot better. I don't know what the reason is, but it's been pretty fun." Like Baltimore, the Rangers turned the page toward the future by making a bevy of moves before the deadline, dealing away, among others, left-hander Cole Hamels and closer Keone Kela. The teams closed out the first half by playing three one-run games in Baltimore, with the Orioles winning the final two by scores of 1-0 and 6-5.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (3-9, 4.33 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (5-1, 6.26)

Cashner ended a winless drought of more than two months in his last start against Tampa Bay on Friday, limiting the Rays to two runs and five hits over six innings. The 31-year-old was 0-4 in his previous nine turns even though he has registered five quality starts during that span. Cashner, who was 11-11 in 28 starts with the Rangers in 2017, has split 10 career decisions and posted a 2.72 ERA at Globe Life Park.

Gallardo, who was cut loose by Cincinnati in April after three relief appearances, has thrived since he was promoted from Triple-A Round Rock in mid-June. He is 5-1 over his last six starts and has not allowed a run while giving up only five hits over 11 1/3 innings in his last two turns, blanking division leaders Cleveland and Houston. Mark Trumbo has been a nemesis for Gallardo with six hits in 11 at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mancini is 10-for-25 with two homers and four RBIs over the last six games.

2. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus has hit safely in 12 consecutive games

3. Orioles INF Jonathan Villar, acquired from Milwaukee on Tuesday, is expected to join the team for the series opener.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Orioles 3