Nationals Rangers rubber match: Texas lineup for Aug. 20
The Texas Rangers host the Washington Nationals in Thursday's series rubber match at Globe Life Field, with Jacob deGrom starting opposite Andrew Alvarez. Texas posted the same lineup that scored Tuesday as it tries to clinch the nationals rangers series after the clubs split the first two games in Arlington.
Key Takeaways
- Jacob deGrom starts for Texas against Washington's Andrew Alvarez in the series finale.
- The Rangers reused Tuesday's batting order after Wednesday's shutout loss.
- First pitch is 8:05 p.m. ET (7:05 p.m. Central) at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
- Texas (62-65) and Washington (61-67) are both chasing a series win.
- DeGrom is cleared to pitch after exiting his prior start with triceps tightness.
What is the Texas Rangers lineup for August 20, 2026?
Per Lone Star Ball, Texas is rolling with the same nine that scored Tuesday, not the group blanked Wednesday.
The batting order: Langford at DH, Seager at shortstop, Burger at first base, Nimmo in right field, Duran in left, Foscue at second, Jansen catching, Freeman at third, and Carter in center.
Texas kept that configuration after Wednesday's offense managed only four hits in a shutout loss during the nationals rangers set.
Who is pitching in the Nationals Rangers series finale?
WTOP lists Jacob deGrom (8-8, 3.95 ERA, 147 strikeouts) for Texas and Andrew Alvarez (2-4, 3.72 ERA, 69 strikeouts) for Washington.
DeGrom left a start a week earlier with triceps tightness and exited his most recent outing after two innings with triceps fatigue, though he is cleared to pitch Thursday.
Published money lines have the Rangers favored at home, with quotes ranging from about -161 to -175 across outlets. The over/under is set at 7 1/2 runs.
Why does this Nationals Rangers rubber match matter?
Both clubs sit under .500—Texas at 62-65 and second in the AL West, Washington at 61-67 and fourth in the NL East—and each needs a win to take the three-game series. Thursday is only the third meeting between the teams this season.
The Rangers are 33-28 at home and 46-6 when they score five or more runs. The Nationals rank fifth in the NL in team batting average at .251 and are 34-31 on the road.
Recent form favors caution on Texas bats: the Rangers are 3-7 over their last 10 with a .213 average and a minus-20 run differential. Washington is 4-6 in that span but has outscored opponents by seven runs.
The Nationals are without James Wood, who is on the 10-day injured list with an oblique issue, removing a key power threat against deGrom.
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