The Texas Rangers welcome the New York Mets to Globe Life Field on Thursday, September 24, for a 2:35 PM ET first pitch. Kumar Rocker gets the ball for Texas, squaring off against Mets right-hander Zac Thornton in what shapes up as an intriguing late-regular-season afternoon showdown. With rosters expanded and September baseball in full swing, every game carries weight — and the Rangers will be leaning on a lineup that blends established veterans with emerging talent to get the job done in Arlington.

Starting Pitchers: Kumar Rocker vs. Zac Thornton

Rocker is the story on the Texas side. The former first-round pick has been one of the more compelling storylines in the Rangers organization, and Thursday gives him another opportunity to build on his development at the big-league level. Without a lengthy statistical track record available, the focus will be on how he commands his stuff against a Mets lineup that knows how to grind through at-bats.

Thornton draws the start for New York. He's a name that hasn't accumulated a towering major-league résumé yet, which makes this matchup genuinely open-ended. Neither pitcher arrives with a published ERA or win-loss record to anchor expectations, so both clubs will be riding on execution and game-day stuff rather than reputation.

Texas Rangers Starting Lineup

• Justin Foscue, 2B
• Corey Seager, SS
• Josh Jung, 3B
• Jake Burger, 1B
• Brandon Nimmo, RF
• Wyatt Langford, LF
• Ezequiel Duran, CF
• Elias Díaz, C
• Danny Jansen, DH

That is a lineup worth talking about. Corey Seager hitting second is exactly where you want your best hitter — he sets the table for Josh Jung and Jake Burger in the middle of the order, giving Texas genuine thump at the three and four spots. Burger at first base as a cleanup hitter brings power potential, and Wyatt Langford in the six-hole gives the Rangers continued production deep into the order. Brandon Nimmo in right field is an interesting presence, a player who knows how to work counts and keep innings alive.

Keys to Watch

• Rocker's command: If he can locate his fastball and keep the Mets off balance early, Texas has a real shot at a quality start. Walks will be the number to watch.
• Seager and Jung setting the tone: The two and three hitters in this lineup are capable of doing serious damage. If they get going against Thornton, the middle of the order will feast.
• Langford's development: The outfielder continues to be one of the most closely watched Rangers position players. His at-bats against a lesser-known arm like Thornton are a genuine measuring stick.
• Duran in center: Ezequiel Duran sliding to center field is worth tracking both offensively and defensively as the Rangers manage their roster down the stretch.

Prediction

Texas takes this one at home. Rocker has the stuff to keep the Mets honest, and the Rangers lineup — anchored by Seager and Jung — has enough firepower to solve a pitcher in Thornton who is still establishing himself at this level. Globe Life Field crowd, afternoon game, a motivated Texas squad. Rangers win, 5-3.