The Texas Rangers welcome the Houston Astros to Globe Life Field on Sunday, July 12, for a 2:35 PM ET first pitch that carries real divisional weight. MacKenzie Gore gets the ball for Texas opposite Houston's Cristian Javier, setting up a legitimate pitching duel between two arms with plenty of history in the AL West. These two clubs know each other well, and any time the Rangers and Astros share the same field, the stakes feel a little higher than the standings column alone suggests.

Probable Pitchers: Gore vs. Javier

MacKenzie Gore draws the Sunday start for the Rangers. The left-hander has been one of Texas's most important rotation pieces, and this matchup against a Houston lineup that can do real damage puts his command and pitch mix front and center. Gore will need to work efficiently and keep the ball in the park — Globe Life Field's dimensions don't forgive mistakes against a lineup built around power and patience.

Cristian Javier gets the call for Houston. The right-hander built his reputation on a high-spin fastball and the ability to miss bats in bunches. He's a pitcher who can make a Rangers lineup look uncomfortable when he's sharp. Texas hitters will need to grind at-bats and work pitch counts early if they want to get into the Houston bullpen at a reasonable hour.

Texas Rangers Starting Lineup

• 1. Joc Pederson — DH
• 2. Wyatt Langford — LF
• 3. Josh Jung — 3B
• 4. Brandon Nimmo — RF
• 5. Jake Burger — 1B
• 6. Ezequiel Duran — SS
• 7. Evan Carter — CF
• 8. Nicky Lopez — 2B
• 9. Kyle Higashioka — C

Keys to Watch for Texas

Langford and Jung in the Heart of the Order

Wyatt Langford hitting second puts him in position to do damage early. If Joc Pederson gets on base ahead of him, this Rangers offense can get going before the game ever finds a rhythm. Josh Jung batting third is where Texas needs production — Jung's ability to drive runners in against right-handed pitching will be a significant factor against Javier.

Burger and Duran Providing Depth

Jake Burger at first base and Ezequiel Duran at shortstop give this lineup genuine middle-of-the-order depth at five and six. If Javier works through the top of the order cleanly, Texas needs those two to make him pay. Duran in particular has the bat speed to handle elevated heat, which Javier deploys regularly.

Gore's Command in Divisional Play

Against a disciplined Houston lineup, Gore can't afford to fall behind counts and start leaking walks. The Astros are patient and will make him work. If Gore can attack the zone early and generate weak contact through five or six innings, the Rangers bullpen can handle the rest. That's the blueprint Texas needs to execute.

Prediction

This is a quality pitching matchup in a rivalry game that tends to be tightly contested. Gore has the stuff to keep Houston off the board, and the Rangers lineup has enough left-handed bats to give Javier problems. Expect a low-scoring game that comes down to one or two swings. Rangers take it at home, 3-2.

Catch the game on Rangers Sports Network, presented by Progressive, or listen locally on 105.3 The Fan. Spanish-language radio coverage is available on KFLC 1270 and KLTN-TUDN 102.9 FM.