Rangers get worst possible news as Blue Jays stack the deck ahead of weekend series

The Texas Rangers got lucky in their current series against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field, as they didn't face star left-handers Payton Tolle and Ranger Suarez. However, the Rangers will have their hands full when they host the Toronto Blue Jays for three games this weekend.

The Rangers will face Blue Jays All-Star right-hander Dylan Cease on Friday. If it weren't for Cam Schlittler of the New York Yankees, Cease would be the clear frontrunner in the AL Cy Young race. Cease, 30, is 11-5 with a 2.38 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and 236 strikeouts over 166 1/3 innings this season. He signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with Toronto over the winter. It's safe to say the Blue Jays are happy with the deal so far.

Rangers set to face formidable starters in Blue Jays series

The Rangers have another tough task ahead of them in Game 2 of the Blue Jays series on Saturday, as they will face right-hander José Soriano, whom Toronto acquired from the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 3. Soriano hasn't been amazing since joining the Blue Jays, posting a 4.27 ERA across eight starts, but he has had a fantastic season overall with a 3.56 ERA over 169 1/3 innings. In his last start, Soriano carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at the Rogers Centre on Monday.

The Blue Jays have yet to announce their starting pitcher for the finale on Sunday, but there's a chance it will be right-hander Trey Yesavage, who made a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday and is set to throw a bullpen session in Texas, according to The Athletic's Mitch Bannon. Yesavage has been on the IL since early August with a torn left meniscus in his left knee. He underwent surgery to repair the meniscus.

Yesavage struggled in his rehab outing on Tuesday; he allowed two runs on 34 pitches and didn't make it past the first inning. But if the Rangers face him on Sunday, that still won't be good news. Yesavage has had a strong rookie season, posting a 3.65 ERA over 93 2/3 innings. After just three career starts, Yesavage posted a 3.58 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings during Toronto's World Series run in 2025. On the bright side, Yesavage will likely be on a strict pitch count if he pitches on Sunday.

There is a silver lining, though. After running out Kumar Rocker in the opener of the series, Texas follows up with Cal Quantrill on Saturday and Jacob deGrom on Sunday. Since August 1, Quantrill's 1.84 ERA is the fourth-best among all qualified starters. deGrom, while hampered by a sore groin, has turned in some performances that are both gutsy and dominant of late.

The Rangers dropped the final game of the Red Sox series to fall one game behind the Houston Astros in the AL West race. Houston takes on the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves this weekend, which could give Texas a prime opportunity.

It will be a tall order, but taking care of the Blue Jays helps in the wild card chase, and if that corresponds with the Astros struggling against the Braves, the Rangers could claw back and overcome the tie-breaker disadvantage they have against Houston.

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