Texas Rangers Schedule 2024: Crucial Matchups and Key Games

With the 2024 regular season quickly approaching, I thought it would be beneficial to examine the Rangers' schedule and see what the reigning champs have lined up for the season.

As always, the Rangers will be playing 162 games; 81 of those will be away, and the other 81 at Globe Life Field. The big change with the Rangers' schedule comes with MLB reducing the number of division games to be played for the second straight season, from the usual 76 down to 52 games. This gives the Rangers a continued opportunity for more interleague play throughout the season, which may allow fans to see teams that have rarely come to Arlington in the past. 

Speaking of interleague play, the Rangers will start their regular season with an interleague matchup against the Chicago Cubs on March 28. The Rangers are still trying to determine who will be their Opening Day pitcher, but as of now, it will most likely be Nathan Eovaldi, who is looking to have another stellar season after the remarkable campaign he had last year.

Texas Rangers Schedule 2024: Crucial Matchups and Key Games

As the season gets going, baseball fans won't have to wait too long to see a rematch of the 2023 ALCS, as the Rangers will be set to play the Astros in a four-game series starting on Friday, April 5 at Globe Life Field. There's currently no love lost between these two teams, and the Astros are eager to get a crack at the Rangers, especially with how things ended last season. One week later, the Rangers will be set to play the Astros again, this time with the Rangers traveling down south, which will likely be a hostel series at Minute Maid Park.

With seven games to be played between the Rangers and Astros in the first month of the season, both teams will get a chance to settle their differences on the field in a rivalry that has quickly become one of the most explosive in baseball. 

One of the biggest challenges of the Rangers' first half will come in mid-April when they take on the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. The Rangers did face the Braves last season around the same time, with the Braves winning the series two games to one. This year, once again, this series will be a big test for the Rangers pitching staff to see how the rotation can hold up against a lineup as deep as the Braves' crew, especially with several of their starting pitchers sidelined.

As the season's first half ends, fans will get to see a rematch of last year's ALDS series between the Rangers and Orioles, a four-game set taking place at Camden Yards at the end of June. The Orioles are looking to continue the dominance they had last season throughout the American League and have added some pieces this offseason to improve their roster. One move in particular wastrading for former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, who the team recently announced will be their Opening Day starter. This move helps legitimize the Orioles pitching staff and helps them become serious contenders in the AL this season. This will be a good mid-season test for the Rangers to see where their team stands and what moves they may need to make before the trade deadline.

Overall, the first half of the season will be a grind for the Rangers, with the team scheduled to play in 12 series against teams who appeared in the playoffs last year, including a two game World Series rematch against Arizona in May. Hopefully, the Rangers pitching staff is able to hold up until reinforcements Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer return to begin the second half of the season. Recent reports claim that Scherzer may be able to return to the mound by June, which would give the Rangers a huge boost, especially with how challenging the first half will be. 

The Rangers second half of the season will be significantly easier then their first half. Seven of the Rangers' nine series in August will be against teams who finished with records under .500 last season, including the A's and White Sox, who finished with records significantly under .500 and have made few to no moves this offseason to get better.

One team that could challenge the Rangers to end the season is the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners finished the 2023 season with an 88-74 record and were on the cusp of making it to the postseason. The Mariners have made several moves through the offseason to help them become a more competitive team, including signing former Rangers DH Mitch Garver. As Ranger fans know, this gives the Mariners a hitter with pop in his bat who can do some damage, especially with runners on base. The Rangers will face the Mariners seven times in the final few weeks of the season, which most likely will be taking place during a tight divisional race for the AL West, similar to the one that occurred in the final few weeks of last season. 

Thankfully, the Rangers will be able to end their regular season with two favorable matchups by facing the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland A's, two teams that most likely will not be too competitive this season, especially by September. These final six games could give the Rangers some additional insurance wins, which may be needed depending on how tight the division race is at that point. By the looks of things, it will be very tight.