Rangers' Wild Card quest just got much tougher with the Diamondbacks activating their entire rotation this week

The Arizona Diamondbacks finally have a fully healthy rotation. Right-hander Zac Gallen is coming off the 60-day injured list to start for Arizona against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, according to Arizona Sports 98.7 FM's John Gambadoro. Right-hander Michael Soroka will be activated from the 15-day IL to pitch in bulk relief Wednesday. Additionally, the Diamondbacks activated right-hander Corbin Burnes for his first pitching appearance in 15 months on Tuesday. Burnes threw three scoreless innings as the Diamondbacks defeated the Royals 5-3.

Unfortunately, the Texas Rangers will begin a three-game series against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on Friday. If the series were a week ago, it'd be much easier to feel confident heading into the three-game set. But now that Arizona has a fully healthy rotation, winning the series will be a much tougher task. Definitely not ideal timing for the Rangers, who entered Wednesday just 1 1/2 games out of the final Wild Card spot and two games behind the Houston Astros for first place in the American League West.

On the bright side, it appears that the Rangers will avoid facing Burnes, as the Diamondbacks have the day off Thursday before hosting the Rangers, meaning Burnes' next scheduled start will likely be on Monday. And with Gallen and Soroka pitching on Wednesday, it appears the Rangers will avoid facing them as well.

Diamondbacks will enter Rangers series with well-rested pitching staff

Still, the Diamondbacks' pitching staff will enter the Rangers series well-rested due to the return of Burnes, Soroka and Gallen. The Diamondbacks have yet to officially reveal their starters for this upcoming weekend, but it appears likely Texas will face right-hander Brandon Pfaadt, left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez and right-hander Merrill Kelly.

Pfaadt has pitched well lately, posting a 2.54 ERA over 63 2/3 innings after the All-Star break. In his last start, Pfaadt allowed three earned runs over 6 1/3 innings against the Astros at Daikin Park in Houston.

Rodriguez has had an outstanding season, recording a 2.55 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and 128 strikeouts over 173 innings. He represented Arizona in the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in July. In his last outing, Rodriguez allowed just one run while collecting six strikeouts over six innings against the Astros.

Kelly hasn't been nearly as effective as Pfaadt and Rodriguez this year, posting a 5.06 ERA over 147 2/3 innings. In his last outing, Kelly allowed three runs over six innings against the Astros. Because of the return of several key arms, Kelly hasn't pitched since last Friday. With the day off on Thursday, the struggling veteran will enter the Rangers series well rested.

Game 1 of the 2023 World Series rematch at Chase Field will begin at 8:40 p.m. CDT on Friday.

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